How to Fête in Southwest Gwinnett
Plan your next party around the history of transportation. The Southeastern Railway Museum at 3595 Buford Highway in Duluth is a fascinating blend of history, entertainment and education.
At this destination you’ll find expansive grounds, captivating exhibits and a passion for preserving railway heritage. For families with young children, the museum offers a magical experience. If you’re a history buff, a train enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique party venue, make a stop here!
A journey through time
With a vast collection of restored locomotives and other vehicle relics, the museum is a living history lesson.
“We have a cornucopia of transportation equipment, old trains, refurbished trains from the early 1900s. We have old taxis, old buses and a variety of transportation vehicles on display at the museum,” volunteer Peter Stamos said.
Choo-choo-choose a space
With its sprawling 35-acre campus, the Southeastern Railway Museum has a variety of areas for hosting events. Whether you’re planning a corporate event, a family reunion or a child’s birthday party, the museum makes indoor and outdoor spaces available for three-hour blocks of merriment.
The Education Center, indoors and air-conditioned, is perfect for kids’ birthday parties and comfortably holds 30 people. For those who prefer to be outside, there are picnic tables and camp-like areas suitable for hosting parties.
The Exhibit Hall, with its impressive model train display, can accommodate up to 100 guests. It’s normally rented out for corporate events like meetings and team-building activities.
The Theater Room, with its big screen TVs available for use, holds 30 to 35 guests. It’s an ideal space for presentations or screenings.
Projected to be ready by next summer are two stationary train cars in which events will take place. Each car could hold 20 to 30 people. Currently under renovation, these locomotives will be transformed into additional party settings.
A day of discovery
Party guests can tour the museum and all attendees over two years of age receive tickets to ride the trains. A historical train takes guests for a 15-minute ride around the property as they receive a guided tour about the locomotive’s workings today and in the past.
A second train, geared towards children, also provides educational rides around the sprawling property.
Easy and affordable
Hosting an event at the Southeastern Railway Museum is a breeze. The museum provides tables, chairs and basic setup. Party organizers must bring everything they will need.
The museum’s pricing is straightforward, with a per-person fee that includes train rides.
Focus on fun and education
“We’re pretty excited about what we bring to the community,” Stamos said.
“We want to build the entertainment side, but we want them to understand that there’s some real value in studying history, transportation and having fun while riding the trains and learning about how they work,” he shared.
The dedicated volunteers and staff are passionate about sharing their love of trains with visitors of all ages.
“We have 80 volunteers that basically run the museum,” Stamos said. “They love the museum. They love the excited looks on the kids’ faces when they come to tour it.”
By hosting your event here, you’ll be treating your guests to a fun experience while supporting a valuable community resource.
To learn more about hosting an event at the Southeastern Railway Museum, visit train-museum.org/parties.
You’ll find the full How to Fête in Gwinnett: Best Places to Host Private Events article in the September/October issue of Southwest Gwinnett magazine.
