The Mahwah Museum Board of Trustees announces that the museum will be recognizing and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Mahwah Train Station in 2021.

In 1848 a new single track railroad was built running between downtown Paterson to Suffern. Almost every village on the new line had a train station, but the train never stopped in Mahwah because there was no station. Twenty-three years later in the fall of 1871, the Mahwah Train Station was constructed and the new building helped Mahwah to grow and to prosper. When the train stopped at the new station, Mahwah could grow and develop.

The Museum Board believes that as a town we should maximize this special anniversary moment by creating a series of events and celebrations during the year which tell the story of how building the Train Station transformed Mahwah from being an almost strictly farming area to a strong, vibrant, diverse and successful community.

Fifty years ago, township officials selected a portrait of the Old Train Station as the official seal of Mahwah because it represented what enabled the town to grow, to prosper and achieve success for its residents. The seal is prominently displayed in the municipal’s building, it’s printed on all important township documents and appears on every page on the township’s official website.

Museum members are currently working on developing plans for some exciting events that will be held and identifying publicity communications that will be announced to council members and to all residents during the course of the year. The museum welcomes any ideas from the mayor, council members, township officers and all residents.

One important anniversary event is targeted for Mahwah Day in late September. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will commemorate the start of the construction of the station that happened in October 1871. The museum is inviting the mayor, council members and all of Mahwah’s generational families to participate in this event at the station.

The museum believes that by recognizing our past, we can all be loud and proud of our town’s heritage.