Heritage Park in Union is home to the Wakefield Heritage Commission. The 1912 Union Train Station, freight house, and blacksmith shop on Chapel Street (within walking distance of the station) are all owned and maintained by the Wakefield Heritage Commission. Displays currently include an original wood Bangor and Aroostook snowplow last used by the Wolfeboro Railroad, ice cutting tools, railroad tools, a 1909 Boston and Maine Railroad model layout of the villages of Wakefield, and much more. Future plans include obtaining additional railcars for display!

Using the proceeds from the sale of the Garvin Building, the Wakefield Heritage Commission purchased the Boston and Maine Railroad Station, and the adjacent Freight House property in Union when it became available in 2006. The new buildings provided much-needed space to house and display the Heritage Commission’s artifacts that had been previously stored in the Garvin Building.

Again, with the help of volunteers and donors, the Union Station was restored and now houses a museum of historic artifacts in the Station’s Waiting Room and Station Master’s Office. The train order boards have been reinstalled and are fully functional. The building has been restored to original appearance both inside and out. Heritage Park has become a reality.

Presently on display is a 1902 Russell Snow Plow on permanent loan. The Wakefield Heritage Commission has rehabilitated the Snow Plow and it is open to the public during the season. Many Boston and Maine Railroad artifacts and photos are on display throughout the station and freight house. The Freight House is now home to the Heritage Park Railroad Museum.

In addition to providing information on the area, the Museum will house exhibits that document local history. Educational programs for all ages will be available.

The highlight of the Freight House restoration is an HO scale model replica of the 1909 era of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The replica will include buildings found along the train route through the villages of Union, Sanbornville, Wakefield Corner, East Wakefield (Burleyville Station), and North Wakefield (Mathews Station). You will follow the tracks of a state-of-the-art HO scale model railroad, depicting the Boston and Maine in 1909. Replica steam engines, freight cars, and passenger cars pass through the countryside where trackside and village structures reflect local early 20th-century life. The history of railroading comes alive at Heritage Park.

Hours of Operation:

The Heritage Park Railroad Museum campus, which includes the Union Station, Freight House and 1902 Russell Snow Plow exhibit, a 1950s-era caboose, and, soon, a  Boston & Maine Railroad water tower, is open for visitation Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., from late June through Columbus Day weekend.

Contact Email:

wakefieldheritage@yahoo.com