Author: renee-tnmot

Aviation and America 250 Regional Events

Posted on by renee-tnmot

The National Museum of Transportation will participate in two exciting regional events this June, bringing transportation history and community engagement to audiences across the St. Louis area.

On June 6 and 7, The National Museum of Transportation will take part in the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, located at 18130 Edison Avenue, Chesterfield, MO 63005. The highly anticipated event will feature thrilling aviation performances and exhibits celebrating innovation in transportation and flight.

Featured attractions at the air show include the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Snowbirds, and The National Museum of Transportation’s historic Chrysler Turbine Car, one of the Museum’s most iconic automotive artifacts.

The Museum will also participate in the St. Louis Area Showcase: A Celebration of America 250, taking place June 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks Park, located at the Jefferson Barracks Visitors Center, 345 North Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.

The Celebration of America 250 commemorates the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and will feature a full day of activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages, including:

  • Live performances
  • Historical re-enactors
  • Music
  • Family activities
  • Authors
  • Vendors
  • Food trucks

“The National Museum of Transportation is proud to participate in these outstanding community celebrations that highlight innovation, history, and American spirit,” said Terri McEachern, Executive Director of The National Museum of Transportation. “These events provide wonderful opportunities for families and visitors to connect with transportation history while enjoying memorable experiences throughout the region.”

The National Museum of Transportation was recently selected as a 2025 GTE Award Winner for Excellence in Tourism, recognizing the Museum’s exceptional contributions to tourism, education, and preservation.

For more information about The National Museum of Transportation, visit tnmot.org.

Summer Reading Challenge at TNMOT

Posted on by renee-tnmot

— The National Museum of Transportation is inviting young readers to climb aboard for summer fun and learning with its “CHOO CHOO CHOOse Reading” Summer Reading Challenge, taking place between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2026.

The reading challenge encourages children through 8th grade to read ten books with a transportation theme during the summer months. Participants who successfully complete the challenge will receive a certificate of completion, a train whistle, and two tickets to the Museum’s holiday events in December.

“Our summer reading challenge is designed to inspire curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading,” said Terri McEachern, Executive Director of The National Museum of Transportation. “Books help children explore new ideas and discover history, science, innovation, and adventure. By connecting reading with transportation, we hope to encourage learning both inside and outside the classroom.”

Reading challenge forms may be picked up at The National Museum of Transportation William R. and Laura Rand Orthwein Education & Visitor Center, located at 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122, or downloaded online at tnmot.org.

The Museum is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The National Museum of Transportation is home to what representatives from the Smithsonian Institution have called “one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the country,” making it an ideal destination for families seeking educational summer activities.

For more information about the CHOO CHOO CHOOse Reading Summer Reading Challenge and other Museum programs, visit tnmot.org.

Plein Air Winners of 5/16/2026 Event

Posted on by renee-tnmot

The Plein Air art event hosted by The National Museum of Transportation resulted in “exceptional” artistic renderings of our historic artifacts and grounds. Thank you to all who signed up to participate this year, and to our judge, David Ottinger.

Winners:

-1st Place, Gary Beazley

-2nd Place, Kim Bene

-3rd Place, Marty Coulter

Below are photos of the winners’ artwork:

1st Place – Gary Beazley

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2nd Place – Kim Bene

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3rd Place – Marty Coulter

Route 66 Centennial Trading Card Program

Posted on by renee-tnmot

National Museum of Transportation Joins Route 66 Centennial Trading Card Program

Kirkwood, MO — The National Museum of Transportation is proud to announce its participation in the Route 66 Trading Card Program, part of the nationwide celebration of the upcoming 100th Anniversary of Historic Route 66 in 2026.

Route 66 Trading Cards are collectible keepsakes that highlight iconic landmarks and destinations along the legendary highway stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica. Designed to encourage exploration and storytelling, the cards offer visitors a fun way to create memories, celebrate the road’s rich history, and support the communities that keep Route 66 vibrant.

The initiative is led by the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Route 66 as both a treasured national icon and an international destination. Proceeds from card sales directly support these efforts, as well as the small businesses, museums, and nonprofits that participate in the program.

The National Museum of Transportation is especially honored to be the only tourist attraction in the St. Louis area participating in the program. The Museum’s exclusive card features Bobby Darin’s “Dream Car,” a one-of-a-kind custom vehicle designed by Andrew Di Dia and donated to the Museum in 1970. The car remains one of the Museum’s most distinctive and popular artifacts.

Trading cards are available for purchase at the Museum for $1 each.

Located at 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122, the National Museum of Transportation is open daily through Labor Day, with fall hours beginning thereafter.

For more information about the Museum, visit www.tnmot.org.
For more information about the Route 66 Trading Card Program, visit www.route66tradingcards.com.

A Museum on the Move Podcast

Posted on by renee-tnmot

The National Museum of Transportation is pleased to present our A Museum on the Move Podcast sharing transportation history.

Step into the stories behind America’s greatest machines in A Museum On the Move, a TNMOT podcast, where aviation, railroading, automotive innovation, and trolley travel come alive. Discover the exceptional collection of planes, trains, automobiles—and trolleys, too—through expert insights, history, and behind-the-scenes tales from one of the nation’s premier transportation museums.

Daffodils = Flower-Powered Pollinators

Posted on by renee-tnmot

Insects, particularly larger bees. do pollinate some daffodils, especially species with open, accessible, and scented blooms, such as Narcissus poeticus. Here at The National Museum of Transportation our daffodils are in full bloom, signaling the start of our pollinator season and beautiful (and fun) parks. If you or or someone you know needs a quiet, comforting place to enjoy, our Missouri natives pollinator park area is just the right size and vibe. In the past we have had hidden decorated rocks for children to hunt and then rehide for other guests to find.

While many hybrid daffodils are cultivated and rarely produce seed, they can be pollinated by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and moths that visit for pollen or nectar. 

Key Details on Daffodil Pollination:

Primary Pollinators: Bumblebees, honeybees, and various moths are the main visitors.

Challenges: Many modern hybrids have little nectar or pollen, and their deep, tubular shape can make it difficult for short-tongued insects to reach the resources.

Methods: While they can be pollinated by insects or wind, daffodils often reproduce primarily through bulb division (asexual cloning) rather than seeds.

Pollinator Interaction: In some cases, pollinators only visit to collect pollen from the anthers. 

For the best results in supporting local pollinators, it is recommended to plant wild or heirloom types of daffodils.

Why can’t you put daffodils with other flowers? They are toxic as a neighbor: For cut flowers, never mix daffodils with others in a vase as their sap kills other blooms; so never put daffodils in a vase with other flowers (in particular, tulips) since their sap (which is toxic to other plants) can cause the other plants to wilt prematurely. You should avoid planting daffodils with edible plants like onions, garlic, potatoes, and tomatoes, due to their toxicity and to prevent confusing bulbs during harvest. Also, keep them away from tulips and hyacinths (heavy nutrient competition), shallow-rooted trees (root competition), and tall, dense perennials (shading).

When to cut down daffodil stalks? If you want your daffodils to bloom again, it’s best to let the leaves turn yellow or brown before tying or cutting them back. Though you may be tempted to cut down those unsightly clumps of decaying leaves, waiting until the leaves die back ensures that the bulb has stored enough energy to flower next spring.