The Rabbit Run Railroad Diorama

Program Type:

Lecture with Slides

Age Group:

Tweens (10-13), Teens (12-18), Adults (18+)
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Program Description

Museum on Main Street

Crossroads is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Event Details

The Rabbit Run Railroad was the life blood of the Swift River Valley, according to Ken Levine, artist and co-owner of Frames/Ink in Petersham with his wife, Janet Palin.

Levine, a railroad buff, has created a model diorama of the Swift River Valley, complete with the railroad chugging its way through, for the Swift River Valley Historical Society in New Salem. The diorama depicts North Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott, the four towns lost during the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir. The Rabbit Run Railroad, the beloved “stoppingest railroad” had many stations along nearly 50 miles of track.

At this talk, Levine will show pictures and talk about his process in creating this work of art and why it's important.  He will also discuss the four “lost towns” that comprised the vibrant communities taken to construct the Quabbin Reservoir as well as the artistry and construction of his 24’ diorama that honors the memory of those people and towns.

Free and open to the public, this event is made possible by a Museum on Main Street grant via the Smithsonian Institute.

Registration required.