Putnam, Connecticut: Museum in a Boxcar
Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote a series of books about kids who lived in a railroad boxcar, so that's where her hometown built her museum. The boxcar was renovated in 2019.
Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum
- Address:
- S. Main St., Putnam, CT
- Directions:
- Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum. Downtown. On the west side of Hwy 12/S. Main St., just south of its intersection with US Hwy 44/Front St. For off-hours visits email barbarascalise (at) sbcglobal.net
- Hours:
- May - Mid-Oct. Sa-Su 11-4, or by appt. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
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Museum in a Boxcar
While checking out a Roadside America tip for Putnam, we happened upon a teeny museum housed in a train boxcar, dedicated to the author of a series of books, "The Boxcar Children Mysteries." Gertrude Chandler Warner lived across from the rail yard and was a life-long resident of the town. Putnam decided to create a museum in her honor and hit upon the idea of using a real 1920s New Haven R.R. boxcar, just like the one that the fictional kids lived in. Inside are signed books, memorabilia, and possessions of the author.
If you're a fan of the books it may be a fascinating spot. Otherwise, it's an interesting anomaly within a sedate little town.
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