CSX donates $5m to B&O museum

CSX is to make a gift of $5 million to the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, towards the museum’s $30 million capital campaign in anticipation of the B&O railroad’s bicentennial anniversary in 2027.

“CSX is proud to support the future of the B&O Railroad Museum and help expand its role in the community,” said Joe Hinrichs, CSX president and chief executive officer. “As the successor to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, CSX has been an integral part of the Maryland economy for generations. We are thrilled to be able to deliver this substantial contribution and serve as a catalyst of growth for this iconic institution and the Baltimore community.”

The donation will be used to build the “CSX Bicentennial Garden,” an amphitheater and multi-use space that can host local organizations and hold community gatherings. This installation will serve as a vibrant event space and provide a fresh, new location to welcome visitors to the museum. CSX is the first corporate patron to pledge support for the campaign, which will improve the overall campus flow, add state-of-the-art educational space, including an Innovation Hall focused on pres- ent-day and future railroad technology, house extensive historical archives, and spark community economic development.

“Today, we celebrate another great partnership between CSX and the State of Maryland as we honor the birthplace of American railroading, the B&O Railroad Museum,” said Governor Wes Moore.

“This campus transformation will serve our administration’s goals of connecting institutions with their neighboring communities, expanding workforce training opportunities on campus, creating publicly accessible open space, and remodeling the South Car Works building, our nation’s oldest, continuously operating railroad repair facility as the new entryway to the Museum. Maryland will be ready to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2027.”

First miles

Baltimore built the first miles of America’s railroads. And for nearly 200 years CSX and the B&O Railroad have been essential to the growth of Baltimore’s economy and community. From the Howard Street Tunnel modernization project to preserving the city’s heritage at the historic B&O Railroad

Museum, CSX continues to invest in and serve the community it has proudly called home for nearly two centuries.

"We are profoundly grateful to CSX for their extraordinary commitment to the preservation and celebration of our nation's railroad heritage," said Kris Hoellen, executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “This significant contribution of $5 million dollars marks a milestone in our campaign towards transforming our campus in preparation for the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027. We thank CSX for their leadership to catalyse our campaign and for recognizing the importance of creating a beautiful, publicly accessible space in Southwest Baltimore, the CSX Bicentennial Garden.”

Public-private partnerships helps the museum’s continued ability to tell the story of how railroading has shaped the history of America. With the inaugural contribution, CSX is encouraging fellow corporate partners to support the museum’s campaign - investing in Maryland and the future of Baltimore communities. www.freight-tracks.com