Mills Dean III Collection Archives

CURRENT HOURS OF OPERATION:

Closed to the public.

CONTACT:

librarian@dctrolley.org

The Mills Dean III library consists of books, photographs, maps, miscellaneous papers, and artifacts related to electric street and interurban railways from the National Capital region.

Special Collections within the library:

  • Lt. Col. John E. Merriken Collection of Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad history

  • Edward C. Frazier Postcard Collection

  • Lee H. Rogers Collection

  • Edmond Henderer Collection.

Please contact our librarian for assistance with your research questions.

Do you have items to donate to the Museum?

The National Capital Trolley Museum accepts donations of objects and archival materials that are of particular significance to the history of electric traction. Our focus is on the materials relating to the electric street railways and interurbans that served the Nation’s Capital.

We understand the personal value placed on these items; however, we must give special consideration to such gifts before we can accept them to ensure they meet our specific collection goals of preserving and interpreting the heritage of electric street and interurban railways for the Nation’s Capital and its environs.

The museum is interested in collecting the following types of material that document the history of electric streetcars:   

  • Audio, film and video recordings 

  • Uniform components

  • Maps and timetables 

  • Photographs 

  • Technical drawings, instructions, or maintenance manuals

  • Electric traction industry publications 

  • Books and magazines 

If you are interested in donating any objects or archival materials to the museum, please complete the online form to provide details of what you would like to donate. 

The museum’s library and archival staff will review all complete offers and consider several factors such as suitability and duplication before making a final decision on whether to approve or disapprove acceptance of the donation.  Once a final has been made, you will be notified of the decision. Thank you for your interest in and commitment to historical preservation.

Click here to complete an online donation form.