Katha Kissman on the History of The New Buffalo Railroad Museum
As a co-founder and board member of The New Buffalo Railroad Museum, published author and guest writer Katha Kissman offers an insider’s understanding of the history of this beloved southwest Michigan institution.
As I’ve written before, I’m a lover of great museums. Doesn’t matter if it’s art, science and technology, culture, natural history – if it’s inside, I’m there. And the whole idea of creating, maintaining, and operating such repositories of knowledge, beauty, ingenuity, and history has forever intrigued me. What’s inside the institution and the story behind the institution – the whole enchilada – is the real allure for me. I love great museums and I love to know how they came to be, and what makes them tick.
One institution – and it really is a gem – which has struck my fancy in this particular fashion is the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, located in the town of New Buffalo, Michigan. My fascination with this place began several years ago when I first spotted its well-kept and deceptively unassuming exterior on Whittaker Street just south of downtown New Buffalo. Railroad museum. Huh. It wasn’t much later that I read about this cabinet of railroad curiosities in the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce’s annual magazine. (“Harbor Country” is a colloquialism for the area along Lake Michigan where the town of New Buffalo – and several others, including the nearby Michiana Shores where I live – is located.) This place really was a thing. That was it. I had to visit the New Buffalo Railroad Museum.
So I did.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Literally.
I fell in love with this museum for many, many reasons. It’s superbly administrated and managed, and it’s packed with fascinating history, photos, artifacts, and lore. But maybe even more important, to me at least, is this institution’s role as essentially a chronicler of a town’s (and, really, a nation’s) history. Because truly, as the railroads have gone, so has the proud little town of New Buffalo, and so has the country. The lovingly curated collections of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum faithfully reflect this fact. The museum not only pays homage to the mighty railroad industry and its undeniable impact on the growth of this nation, it also serves as a poignant testament to the town of New Buffalo’s role as commercial, transportational, and, of course, homesteading bellwether on Lake Michigan’s southwest shore. On the premises of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum can be found an industry’s, a town’s, and a nation’s histories.
A remarkable place, to say the least.
Which brings me to Katha Kissman, today’s guest writer.
My friend, Katha Kissman, is a published author, as well as a co-founder and board member of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum. There’s probably not another person more qualified than Ms. Kissman to discuss the history and doings of this local landmark. Her story of how this institution came to be is a fascinating read. Please enjoy.
About the New Buffalo Railroad Museum:
A True Community Labor of Love
Katha Kissman
Established in 1989, the mission of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum is to promote, through the establishment and maintenance of a museum and allied projects, a program that will bring about a better understanding and appreciation by the community of its history, commerce, art, and natural environment. A local history Museum for the greater New Buffalo Area, in particular, the New Buffalo Railroad Museum provides an historical record of the role the railroad (the Pere Marquette Railway, the C&O Railroad, Chessie Systems, CSX Transportation and the Michigan Central) played in the development of the greater New Buffalo community.
In 1988 Al & Nadra Kissman, Rolland Oselka and Ronald Oselka purchased the former Pere Marquette Railway property/yards from Chicago investors who had previously purchased it from CSX Transportation. The property consisted of 65 acres upon which the remains of the Pere Marquette Roundhouse, Dispatch House, turntable, coal tower and various railroad tracks existed.
From Wikipedia: “The Pere Marquette Railway (reporting mark PM) operating in the Great Lakes region of the United States and southern parts of Ontario in Canada. It has trackage in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and the Canadian provide of Ontario. Its primary connections included Buffalo, Toledo and Chicago. The company was named after Père (French for Father) Jacques Marquette S.J. (1637–1675), a French Jesuit missionary who founded Michigan’s first European settlement, sault Ste. Marie.” In the 1920s, the Pere Marquette Roundhouse was a major terminus connecting the rich trade area of Northern Michigan with the Chicago mercantile and shipping markets and served as the major employer for the residents of the New Buffalo Area.
The original investors developed the front 10 acres including full renovation of the roundhouse and dispatch house buildings and a paved parking lot for the purpose of turning the property into a boutique shopping mall.
Of the remaining acreage, the owners then split off a small portion of the property at the NE corner in Blocks 234 and 235 and on part of vacated Barton Street with a 20’ wide egress easement along the railroad track to Whittaker Street for the purpose of establishing a nonprofit local history museum to be called The New Buffalo Railroad Museum. Katha Kissman, a nonprofit professional, joined the investors as Project Manager and the dream of the Museum became real.
Using unearthed blueprints from the original Pere Marquette Railroad Depot that used to exist near the site, the Museum building was built for the purpose of establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit local history Museum which has exclusively existed on the site and in that building since 1989. The building was built from those original blueprints by Alvin R. Kissman, Dave Olms, and George Slechta.
Unfortunately, at the launch of The Roundhouse Shopping Mall by the original developers, the recession of the early 90s hit hard and the shopping mall concept was no longer viable. An antiques mall was attempted but after a few years it was also deemed not viable as well. The Roundhouse Corporation then sold the fully improved Roundhouse building, Dispatch House, paved parking lots, turntable, and Whittaker Street frontage to a new investor who launched a Gold’s Gym franchise.
The programs, artifacts and maintenance of the Museum were administered by Katha Kissman, Nadra Kissman, Al Kissman, George Slechta, and Karla Kissman Madison, with assistance from Michelle Holub VandenHombergh, and Carey James. In addition to the permanent exhibit of artifacts related to the rail industry in general and items of historic value to the greater New Buffalo area, CSX Transportation donated a Chessie System Box Car, a World War II Railroad Troop Car, and a C&O Caboose. For years the City of New Buffalo also had the historic Fire Pump which was used to fight the Great Chicago Fire in 1971. That Fire Pump is now housed in the City Hall building. The Duneland Model Railroad Club also maintains a model train layout which depicts how the village of New Buffalo might have appeared in the 1920s.
Over the years the Museum has played host to a variety of community and private events and services. Since its inception, thousands of first home and second home residents and visitors have enjoyed visiting the Museum.
The 2022 Board of Directors include Vanessa Holecek Thun (2022-2026), Board President; Todd Van Buskirk (2022-2026), Board Vice President, Katha Kissman (2022-2027), Board Secretary-Treasurer/Volunteer Administrator; Therese Donnelly (2022-2025); Sherri Kerhoulas (2022-2024); Rich Knoll (2022-2024); Lori Schlundt Petersen (2022-2025) Board Liaison, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers. Emeritus Board Members include Larry Bubb (†), Norma Cook, Alice Drenten (†), Ronald B. Ferguson, Janet Hayes, Judy Zabicki Handley, Alvin R. Kissman, Sue MacLaughlin Lake, Art Lamport, David Lubke (†), Karla Kissman Madison, Rolland Oselka, and Ronald Oselka. Original New Buffalo Railroad Museum Endowment Advisory Board Members include A.J. Boggio, Kim Clark (†), Tom & Judy Gosh, Edward Lyons, Mike Hojnacki (†), Robert Hotovy, Phyllis Kelly, Ted Kerhoulas, Ron Miller (†), Rolland Oselka, Tom Ray (†), and Chuck Ruth. The Museum Docent is Nancy Kennedy. Key Volunteers include Allie Carter, Ted Kerhoulas, Nadra & Al Kissman. Karla Madison, Joan Putzke and Jim Smitchger, Veterans Display Manager.
The Museum is open seasonally. For 2022, the Museum opened on April 2 and will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Eastern. Closing dates for this season will be October 30.
Since its inception, the Museum has been open with free admission and operates solely through grants and donations. Donations are gratefully accepted on site or can be made online or via the mail. Without the support over the years from entities like The Pokagon Fund, the Berrien Community Foundation, The Frederick S. Upton Foundation, CSX Transportation, scores of local businesses and many individuals (fulltime residents, second homeowners, and scores of visitors), the Museum would not be able to exist.
The Museum website is https://new-buffalo-railroad-museum.org/. The physical address of the Museum is 530 S. Whittaker Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117 (one mile North from Exit 1, Interstate 94) and the mailing address is PO Box 3, New Buffalo, MI 49117. For more information, please contact Katha Kissman at 202-669-4423 or email the museum at ask@new-buffalo-railroad-museum.org.
About the Author
Katha Kissman is a retired independent consultant and nonprofit executive. Katha has more than 30 years of experience managing and consulting with nonprofits. As a consultant, Katha served as a Senior Governance Consultant for BoardSource and also served as an interim leader, providing a short- or long-term leadership bridge and nonprofit organizational development consulting.
Other leadership positions included President & CEO of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation and Leadership America’s leader of leaders—first as executive director in 1996 and 1997 and then as president and CEO in 2000 and 2001. She lived in the United Arab Emirates in 1998 and 1999, where she was the founding director of the American University of Sharjah’s Continuing Education Center. Katha has also lived in Kuwait, where she was on the founding leadership team to establish the American University of Kuwait in 2004. She also served as director of training and organizational development at the national headquarters of Volunteers of America, managing director of Round House Theatre, assistant managing director for Living Stage at Arena Stage, and sales manager for Nadra K Real Estate.
Katha has served with the Office Depot Business Women’s Council, IONA Senior Services, African Continuum Theatre Company, Trans-Arab Research Institute, New Buffalo Railroad Museum, Leadership Montgomery, Berrien County Economic Development Commission, Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, Maryland State Arts Council, Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, Greentree Shelter for Women, NOW, Hexagon, and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. She is currently the Secretary/Treasurer and volunteer administrator for the New Buffalo Railroad Museum.
In 2006, Katha authored Taming the Troublesome Board Member and, in 2009, Trouble at the Top: The Nonprofit Board’s Guide to an Imperfect CEO (BoardSource). In 2015, she co-authored (with Beth Gazley, PhD) Transformational Governance: How Association Boards Achieve Extraordinary Change (ASAE Foundation/Jossey-Bass). Katha received a bachelor of science degree in public administration at the School of Public Service at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I’m very proud and honored to have had Katha contribute this wonderful article, here on The Renaissance Garden Guy. The article answered all of my questions about the New Buffalo Railroad Museum’s history and raison d’être, and it helped me to better understand the organizational and operational challenges which all museums face. And Katha Kissman is truly one of the most gracious, kind, and elegant individuals I’ve ever known. She’s a talented writer, a skilled museum administrator, co-founder and board member, an esteemed New Buffalo citizen, and a wonderful friend.
Well done, Ms. Kissman, and thank you, my friend.
To you, my dear readers and subscribers, I highly recommend a visit to the New Buffalo Railroad Museum. If you ever find yourselves in this neck of the woods, please drop in and marvel at the remarkable amount of history on display there. I promise that you’ll have a fascinating and an incredibly informative visit.
And of course, I thank you for your continued interest and support. As always, Cheers, and Happy Gardening!
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Lovely post, really enjoyed it very much !
Looks like a very beautiful museum, love the history and hope to visit one day.
Beautiful images and great info, 🙏🌺
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article, Roxxy. Katha Kissman is a great writer and an amazing lady with an unbelievable work ethic. I was totally fascinated by her article and by her recounting of the museum’s beginnings and extended history. And I really do hope you’ll visit the museum. As the lover of history I know you to be, you’ll be very appreciative of the museum’s poignant vibe. Please let me know if you’re going to visit. You’ve got a standing invitation!
Local museums, like the New Buffalo Railroad Museum, keep local history alive. Thank you Ms. Kissman for reminding all of us about the museum. I know it takes lots of hard work from a lot of people to keep the museum going. Thank you John for giving Katha this opportunity to tell us about the museum.
Thanks for your kind words and interest in the article, Kevin. You’re absolutely right about the amount of work required to establish and operate an institution like this. And the whole notion of such an institution keeping the history of its part of the country alive is spot-on. Katha is a real dynamo. She and her group have worked very hard (and continue to do so) to make the New Buffalo Railroad Museum a successful and well-recognized institution. Her article provided excellent insight into the history and workings of this beautiful museum. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
This is such a special museum!
Thank you for sharing the story as a reminder … spring is here and it’s the perfect time to make another visit to the New Buffalo Railroad Museum!
It really is a wonderful museum, and Katha wrote such a great, informative piece. There’s nothing quite like learning about a place like this from one of its founders. And you’re right, this is a wonderful time to pay the New Buffalo Railroad Museum a visit!
As a former Michigan resident, I’m always happy to read about the history of this great state.
I’m very grateful for your interest, Tess. I didn’t know you were a Michigan resident – small world! Glad you liked Katha’s piece. She and her fellow museum board members, administrators, and volunteers are truly diligent and effective custodians of a vitally important part of Michigan’s history. As always, Tess, thank you for your interest and support.
Thank you, Mr. Stamos! It was a pleasure to share with your readers! We hope they will visit soon!
The pleasure, truly, was all mine, Ms. Kissman. I thank you very kindly for contributing this fascinating article. The New Buffalo Railroad Museum is a local landmark, and visiting is such a wonderful and edifying experience. It was incredibly interesting to learn its history from a true insider’s vantage point. Once again, Katha, many thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed this posting. It is important to have reminders of our history. I particularly like small house or other museums
Thanks, Rick. I loved Katha’s article. Learning this beautiful little museum’s history was fascinating for me. And I agree, there’s really nothing quite like a small museum or house museum. The history in such places is palpable. Thanks for the great comment.
Reminds me of a donation based museum which is another historical gem we have here in NorCal. Thanks for sharing!
Aren’t these really the best museums? The pride and the history in places like these are tangible. I love this museum. I’d love to learn more about the one you’ve got in California. Thanks for you interest, Tamara. It’s truly appreciated.