All Aboard the Maplewood Express!

Join us for a playful journey into Maplewood’s railroad history! This hands-on storytelling activity invites young children to imagine life in Maplewood long ago, when the Rahway Valley Railroad and early commuter trains helped people travel and bring goods to town—before cars and buses existed.

Children will “ride” the Maplewood Express, complete with paper tickets, a friendly conductor, and a make-believe trip through time. Along the way, we’ll see farms, new homes, and families on their way to nearby cities—learning how trains helped shape our community.

After the ride, children can share what they imagined and draw pictures of what they saw “from the train.”

This children's activity will follow the captivating presentation from our speaker, Richard J. King, about the Newark Heights Branch of the Rahway Valley Railroad. Please be sure to get tickets for the lecture if you plan to attend both.