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.
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!
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
Amanda Barbieri
Director
Ameren-Missouri
Tim Bischof
Director
Aerospace Engineer
John Brophy
Director
Richard Chenault, CPA
Director
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (retired)
Frank Cunetto
Director
George P. Dorris III
Director
Fred Goebel
Director
HOK (retired)
Ben Hilliker
Director
Hilliker Corporation
Lindley James
Director
Herman Jimerson
Director
Attorney at Law
David Koller
Director
SLP Lighting
Daniel Pook
Director
Enterprise Mobility
Eric Shelhorn
Director
General Motors
Elizabeth Smart
Director
Lambert International Airport
Dr. Wendell Smith
Director
John L. Stein
Director
Anheuser-Busch Inc. (retired)
Ted Williams
Director
Attorney at Law
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Automobile Advisory Committee
Mission: The Automobile Advisory committee is composed of 3-5 knowledgeable experts, including one board member, in automobile history or having practical experience in the automobile industry. These individuals will help guide the museum curator with locating automobile acquisitions as they pertain to the mission of the museum and deaccessions when necessary. They may also assist in various maintenance, repair, and restoration of the automobile collection.
Coby Ellison, Curator
(members listed alphabetically)
George P. Dorris III
Mike Eberhardt
Michael Flaherty
John Hartmann
Kurt Valdez
Meetings: Committee meets four times a year or additionally as needed.
Rail Advisory Committee
Mission: The Railroad Advisory committee is composed of 3-5 knowledgeable experts, including one board member, in railroad history or having practical experience in the railroad industry. These individuals will help guide the museum curator with acquisitions or deaccession decisions relating to the collection. They may also assist with procurement and contract work with the existing railroad infrastructure on the museum grounds.
Coby Ellison, Curator
(members listed alphabetically)
Rich Chenault
Nick Fry
Ron Goldfedder
David Huelsing
Meetings: Committee meets four times a year or additionally as needed.
Library & Archives Advisory Committee
Mission: The Library & Archives Advisory committee is composed of subject-matter experts from the community whose mission is to promote and generate public interest in the Museum’s Library and Archives collections, and to support the work of the Curator of those collections.
Coby Ellison, Curator
(members listed alphabetically)
Natalie Drew
Jane Gleason
Lee Rottmann
Rena Schergen
Consulting:
Nancy McIlvaney
Meetings: This Committee meets semiannually on Fridays mornings at the Museum.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD
The NMOT Young Professionals (YoPRO) Board is an enthusiastic and talented group of diverse young professionals who share a passion for preserving history for the next generations. The purpose of the group is to bring these community leaders together to raise visibility of the Museum, attract a diverse audience, and assist with fundraising and promotional activities that ensure the continued success of The National Museum of Transportation.
Every member of The National Museum of Transportation Young Professionals Board is committed to:
- Serving as an enthusiastic advocate for the Museum, networking on behalf of the organization, and committing to the mission and goal of the organization,
- Attending social meetings of the YoPRO Board at least once per quarter,
- Contributing expertise to the group ensuring the organizations success,
- Assisting with fundraising and promotional activities as defined by the group,
- Being a member of The National Museum of Transportation.
The time commitment is estimated at 12-40 hours annually. Age range for YoPRO Board members is 25 – 45 years of age. Goal is to have 30 members on the Board.
To apply for consideration to The National Museum of Transportation Young Professional Board, please complete the following application. Qualifying candidates will be contacted within two weeks to meet to discuss participation.
Applicants are applying for the Class of 2025. This is a two-year commitment beginning July 1, 2025.
MOVE YOU
