We're a museum, questions are our bread and butter. Here are answers to a few popular ones in no particular order, and if you have more, give us a call and stump us.
I'm interested in booking an event. When is the Depot available?
Usually about mid-September to early May when the museum is closed for the season, however even when the museum is open we can host receptions and smaller events. The outdoor courtyard and adjacent park are also available. Not all events may be listed on the calendar, so call us about dates first, after you've peeked at the basic introductory info here. Don't be shy about reaching out to us, we enjoy showing you around the place.
My great-grandfather used to work for the railroad in Livingston. Can you help me get more information on him?
The NP once employed thousands of people in Livingston way back when, in fact most of the workforce of the entire town, and they discarded a lot of records just as people do today, especially around the time of the merger, although we do have a few shops staff group photos in our displays. Your best sources might be the Minnesota Historical Society or getting suggestions from the Northern Pacific Railway Historic Association (nprha.org); the Yellowstone Gateway Museum (222-4184) also has just a little more info too.
Google says your museum is open, but it doesn't look like it
For all its other great sophistications, they seem to struggle with the concept of seasonal operations. The best they let us do is append a comment ourselves into that business page. Their listings are correct for the museum during the summer, but not when exhibits are down during the off-season. We do have office hours, typically 10-4, during the rest of the year, but the exhibits go up usually in late spring.
Please not that in 2020 museum hours in consideration of reduced volunteers/resources with the COVID-19 situation are Wed-Sat 10-5 through Oct. 10, then Fridays through Nov. 20 (with under 18 free for fall).
I'm interested in presenting at your next Festival of the Arts. How do I get in?
If you guarantee you do your own fine arts or crafts (no imports, etc.), call us to get on the mailing list for the applications, which normally go out around mid-March or so. If you used to get the form and don't now, we use a bulk mailing permit to send those, and the postal service does not normally return those for address corrections, meaning you forgot to tell us you moved or changed your address, so you'll need to advise us directly to receive them again. We do recommend not letting the applications go for too long however. Our Arts Festival page is here.
I lost something at an event I attended. Do you have a lost and found?
If you've contacted the event's sponsor already, we usually keep things we find for a month or two; give us a call.
If I have my wedding reception / party / concert there, how long in advance can I decorate?
It depends. Technically you only rent the place for the day of your event, but of course if the schedule permits we try to let you decorate comfortably beforehand. Occasionally something may book the day before or after, meaning we'd have to clean up beforehand so you could decorate late morning. But while we make no guarantees, that's normally the exception and earlier is normally possible, often a good day or three if needed.
Are you still doing the Blues at the Depot concerts?
The Blues at the Depot and Big Railroad Blues shows are in retirement due to the soft economy, organization time demands, and the need for additional show sponsors. We are available should you wish to produce your own event.
I'm a Foundation member, but I didn't get my renewal card, it has the wrong date, or I lost it.
It doesn't happen often, but alas, to err is human. Don't hesitate a moment to advise us, and we'll correct it. It's also possible that as a small nonprofit we're just behind in trying to get it back to you with the latest goings-on, so please give us a patient week or two. If your renewal seems to come earlier than expected, remember we usually send your reminder at a fixed month of the year but keep you current if you don't respond, so a tickler reminder process can even go a few months into the new year, but we don't move the schedule up on you. Thank you for being a member!
Can I get a bus ticket there?
We're a historic train place, but this is actually an occasional question. You probably want Jefferson Bus Lines (800-451-5333), whose stop is at the east end of town. If you're looking for the historic Yellow Bus Tours through the downtown, they operate during the summer museum season, and you should have no trouble getting a space without a reservation Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. out front. For special bookings, call Pat at 222-5214 or Jack at 222-5275.
Where can I buy tickets for the next ______ event there?
Most events are through the sponsor themselves, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, ASPEN, Timber Trails, the Yellowstone Ballet, and others, so look for details on an events poster. For Depot-hosted events such as the Wine and Beer Tasting or Roundhouse Roundup, call the Depot directly at 222-2300.
Have fun while you're here!
I'm interested in booking an event. When is the Depot available?
Usually about mid-September to early May when the museum is closed for the season, however even when the museum is open we can host receptions and smaller events. The outdoor courtyard and adjacent park are also available. Not all events may be listed on the calendar, so call us about dates first, after you've peeked at the basic introductory info here. Don't be shy about reaching out to us, we enjoy showing you around the place.
My great-grandfather used to work for the railroad in Livingston. Can you help me get more information on him?
The NP once employed thousands of people in Livingston way back when, in fact most of the workforce of the entire town, and they discarded a lot of records just as people do today, especially around the time of the merger, although we do have a few shops staff group photos in our displays. Your best sources might be the Minnesota Historical Society or getting suggestions from the Northern Pacific Railway Historic Association (nprha.org); the Yellowstone Gateway Museum (222-4184) also has just a little more info too.
Google says your museum is open, but it doesn't look like it
For all its other great sophistications, they seem to struggle with the concept of seasonal operations. The best they let us do is append a comment ourselves into that business page. Their listings are correct for the museum during the summer, but not when exhibits are down during the off-season. We do have office hours, typically 10-4, during the rest of the year, but the exhibits go up usually in late spring.
Please not that in 2020 museum hours in consideration of reduced volunteers/resources with the COVID-19 situation are Wed-Sat 10-5 through Oct. 10, then Fridays through Nov. 20 (with under 18 free for fall).
I'm interested in presenting at your next Festival of the Arts. How do I get in?
If you guarantee you do your own fine arts or crafts (no imports, etc.), call us to get on the mailing list for the applications, which normally go out around mid-March or so. If you used to get the form and don't now, we use a bulk mailing permit to send those, and the postal service does not normally return those for address corrections, meaning you forgot to tell us you moved or changed your address, so you'll need to advise us directly to receive them again. We do recommend not letting the applications go for too long however. Our Arts Festival page is here.
I lost something at an event I attended. Do you have a lost and found?
If you've contacted the event's sponsor already, we usually keep things we find for a month or two; give us a call.
If I have my wedding reception / party / concert there, how long in advance can I decorate?
It depends. Technically you only rent the place for the day of your event, but of course if the schedule permits we try to let you decorate comfortably beforehand. Occasionally something may book the day before or after, meaning we'd have to clean up beforehand so you could decorate late morning. But while we make no guarantees, that's normally the exception and earlier is normally possible, often a good day or three if needed.
Are you still doing the Blues at the Depot concerts?
The Blues at the Depot and Big Railroad Blues shows are in retirement due to the soft economy, organization time demands, and the need for additional show sponsors. We are available should you wish to produce your own event.
I'm a Foundation member, but I didn't get my renewal card, it has the wrong date, or I lost it.
It doesn't happen often, but alas, to err is human. Don't hesitate a moment to advise us, and we'll correct it. It's also possible that as a small nonprofit we're just behind in trying to get it back to you with the latest goings-on, so please give us a patient week or two. If your renewal seems to come earlier than expected, remember we usually send your reminder at a fixed month of the year but keep you current if you don't respond, so a tickler reminder process can even go a few months into the new year, but we don't move the schedule up on you. Thank you for being a member!
Can I get a bus ticket there?
We're a historic train place, but this is actually an occasional question. You probably want Jefferson Bus Lines (800-451-5333), whose stop is at the east end of town. If you're looking for the historic Yellow Bus Tours through the downtown, they operate during the summer museum season, and you should have no trouble getting a space without a reservation Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. out front. For special bookings, call Pat at 222-5214 or Jack at 222-5275.
Where can I buy tickets for the next ______ event there?
Most events are through the sponsor themselves, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, ASPEN, Timber Trails, the Yellowstone Ballet, and others, so look for details on an events poster. For Depot-hosted events such as the Wine and Beer Tasting or Roundhouse Roundup, call the Depot directly at 222-2300.
Have fun while you're here!
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