The Museum was founded in 1944 by a group of historically minded citizens who had acquired the mule-drawn streetcar “Bellefontaine.” The “Bellefontaine” is now on display in the William R. and Laura Rand Orthwein Education and Visitor Center!
In 1948, the Transport Museum Association (TMA) incorporated as a non-profit educational organization to better serve the financial and volunteer needs of the Museum. Land was acquired on Barrett Station in St. Louis County, along the right-of-way of the historic Missouri Pacific Railroad, and over the years, the mule-drawn streetcar was joined by hundreds of other significant exhibits.
On September 1, 1979, the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation formally assumed the operation and development of the Museum, accepting it as a gift from the original founders in February 1984.
For a more in-depth look at the early years of the Museum, and to purchase a copy of ORIGINS: The Founding and Early Years click here.
TNMOT SINCE 1944
To be the leader in protecting and interpreting North America’s transportation heritage.
MISSION
The National Museum of Transportation will be the leader in protecting and interpreting North American transportation heritage. As stewards of our heritage, we will provide engaging education programs, interactive and interpretive exhibits, and conserve transportation history for the next generations.
VISION
The Museum’s successful operation depends on eight equally important units known as our ‘drive wheel’: Education • Exhibits Interpretation • Grounds & Facilities • People • Events & Outreach • Guest Services • Restoration & Preservation • Library & Archives. The unified force of the ‘drive wheel’ successfully moves the Museum forward.
VALUES
What we value is reflected in one word: Respect.
We respect the people, artifacts, campus, and stewardship that preserve the transportation past for future generations.
People. We respect our fellow volunteers, staff, guests, and stakeholders. We will share knowledge and collaborate, as well as be considerate and supportive of those with different and differing ideas.
Artifacts. We will respect the history and historical significance of artifacts entrusted to us to protect and preserve. Objectivity, accuracy, and integrity will prevail.
Campus. We will respect the grounds, buildings, and equipment by keeping these clean, orderly, and in working condition. We will be a good steward of our environment by emphasizing pollinator and native plants to our campus to foster not only attractive, but also sustainable, landscaping.
Stewardship. We will respect the significance of our treasured collection, acknowledge our role in preserving it, and remain accountable for the gifts we receive.
GOAL
We preserve and protect our transportation heritage enabling us to teach our children and our children’s children about the significant role transportation played in the development of our Country. We actively preserve history every day for the next generations!
You may view The National Museum of Transportation’s Strategic Long-Range Master Plan, developed in March 2025, here.
MUSEUM MANAGEMENT
Dr. Darryl A. Ross
President of the Board
Ross Communications (retired)
Charles Taylor
Vice President of the Board
Attorney at Law
Lee Rottmann
Secretary of the Board
Feature Group USA
Terri McEachern
Executive Director - TNMOT
Charles J. Baine
Director
John Brophy
Director
Community Volunteer
Frank Cunetto
Director
Community Volunteer
George P. Dorris III
Director
Community Volunteer
Ben Hilliker
Director
Hilliker Corporation
Herman Jimerson
Director
Attorney at Law
David Koller
Director
SLP Lighting
Kim Lam
Director
Community Volunteer
Andrew Meyer
Director
Ameren
Daniel Pook
Director
Enterprise Mobility
David Porter
Director
Inventor/Community Volunteer
Eric Shelhorn
Director
General Motors
Elizabeth Smart
Director
Lambert International Airport
Dr. Wendell Smith
Director
Community Volunteer
John L. Stein
Director
Anheuser-Busch Inc. (retired)
Todd Tobiasz
Director
Community Volunteer
Leslie Tolliver
Director
City of Clayton
Ted Williams
Director
Attorney at Law
MOVE YOU
