ERLANGER, Ky. — The city of Erlanger is asking residents and those with ties to the community to donate family photos for its grand reopening.
The pictures will be displayed on Christmas trees throughout the museum as part of its “Old Fashioned Christmas” exhibit, celebrating Erlanger’s history and community bonds.
Pictures hold more than just memories. They capture traditions, joy and the connection that brings us together and for Erlanger Depot Museum attendant, Sab Fogt, it’s a walk down history lane.
“There’s a lot of pictures of children and living rooms with Christmas trees,” Fogt explained as they looked through the dozens of photos. “It’s like a cultural artifact of the time and the community.”
The Erlanger Depot was built in 1877, one of 14 stops for all traveling passenger trains as part of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. Now, it’s the only remaining wooden depot structure on the original Southern Railway Line between Cincinnati and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The depot became a museum in 1990 but closed in 2021 because it needed renovations.
“They were going to destroy all of the depots across the railroad. But the city of Erlanger and the historical society at that time wanted to save it and make it a museum,” Fogt explained.
The citi’s Director of Economic Development, Mark Collier, explained the city council, allocated nearly $100,000 from its 2024-2025 budget to complete these upgrades.
Collier said, ”It’s been a community rallying point. Our council appropriated some funds for this year to spruce it up to get it back going. And, I think it’s going to continue that significance, this year and into the future."
Fogt agreed, saying, "We want the community to be able to come in from the park and kind of just have a safe space to connect and learn about our history here in Erlanger, because it’s actually pretty interesting.”
The museum will reopen this December, bringing to life artifacts and family photos that tell the city’s story. For residents wishing to participate, digital photo submissions are due by Nov. 11, 2024 and should be submitted to Sab Fogt via email.