National Railroad Museum Unveils Fox River Expansion

The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay has officially opened its long-awaited Fox River Expansion, marking the largest transformation of the Museum in more than two decades. The project nearly doubles the size of the Lenfestey Center, adding 25,280 square feet of new space designed to enhance exhibits, educational opportunities, and community engagement.

“This expansion isn’t just about adding space—it’s about creating new ways for our community to connect with history,” said Jacqueline Frank, CEO of the National Railroad Museum. “We’re preserving the past while building for the future.”

A New Era for the Museum

The expansion includes several major features:

• Shoreline Integration: For the first time, visitors can fully experience the Museum’s riverside setting, with a 5,000-square-foot covered patio offering event space and access to the Ashwaubomay River Trail.
• Expanded Exhibit Space: Nearly 19,000 square feet of climate-controlled gallery space allows for larger displays of rolling stock, interactive technology, and educational programs.
• Second-Story Mezzanine: A new 2,600-square-foot mezzanine gives visitors a bird’seye view of locomotives and train cars, creating a perspective rarely seen in railroad museums.
• Immersive Learning: Enhanced exhibit areas integrate hands-on experiences and technology-rich storytelling.

The improvements build on other recent upgrades, including lobby and theater renovations, shoreline stabilization, and restoration of several historic train cars.

Economic and Educational Impact

The Fox River Expansion isn’t just a win for the Museum—it’s a boost for the entire region. The project is expected to double the Museum’s economic impact to $40 million annually, supporting local tourism and hospitality industries.

Education also remains at the heart of the mission. Each year, thousands of students visit the Museum to supplement classroom learning across subjects like science, math, social studies, and art. With additional space, the Museum can host more field trips, hands-on workshops, and community programs—while also meeting accessibility needs and providing more inclusive experiences.

A Legacy in Motion

Founded nearly 70 years ago by local leaders with a single steam locomotive, the National Railroad Museum has grown into a Congressional-designated national museum with more than 70 locomotives and train cars, along with a collection of 150,000 artifacts. Annual attendance now averages over 100,000 visitors, but until now, facilities had not expanded since 2001.

With the Fox River Expansion, the Museum is equipped to preserve its nationally significant collection while creating new experiences for the next generation of visitors.

“The railroad helped build this country,” said Frank. “Now, we have the space to share that story in ways that are more engaging, more inclusive, and more impactful than ever before.”

The Fox River Expansion is open daily during regular Museum hours. For more information, visit nationalrrmuseum.org