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Welcome to the GATSME Model Railroad Club
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April 2012 Update
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The last two months have been very hectic. The GATSME Property Committee spoke to many parties with interest in the Old Fort Washington School. As of late April, we have narrowed our possible partners down to two. Since closing on the old school will happen in mid May, a decision is quickly approaching. We hope to save both buildings.
Many neighbors, friends and fellow model railroaders have shared their concern. We appreciate all of the kind compliments and good wishes. The members of GATSME thank everyone that made a contribution at the March open house. We are currently raising funds to preserve our model railroad museum in the basement of a historic school building.
GATSME Model Railroad Club, Inc is a 501 c3 not for profit corporation and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. A thank you letter will be sent for your files. Donations are accepted via PayPal (registration is not necessary) or send your check to the address at the bottom of this page.
GATSME is very grateful to all of our generous friends near and far.
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We are a group of railroad historians who are building a museum-quality representation of railroads in the 1950’s. Our members have studied architecture, geology, engineering, history and prototype railroads. The result is an incredible miniature world, to which our photo gallery cannot do justice. You have to see it for yourself.
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| Since 1975, GATSME has been located in the basement of the Old Fort Washington Elementary School on Madison Avenue Over the years, GATSME has upgraded our space many times. We take great pride in the building and its history. |
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| The older assembly building was originally a four-room school house, and has a date stone that reads: “Upper Dublin School No. 5 - 1891”. As Fort Washington prospered, this school educated the local students – back in the days when everyone walked to class. In 1917, with growing student enrollment, the larger classroom building was added, and the old school became the auditorium. Many graduates from decades past stop by and tell us about their days in the school building above our heads. Forty years ago, the ‘new’ Fort Washington Elementary School opened replacing the old school on Madison Avenue |
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| Today, Fort Washington has the opportunity to save the Old Fort Washington School in partnership with GATSME. While it may be impossible to save the 1917 addition, you can help us preserve the historic 1891 stone building, preserve the community room on the first floor and preserve the model railroad museum in the basement. We are reaching out to residents of the Fort Washington neighborhood, and all Upper Dublin residents to help us save this important, historic resource, which is still used by a number of community organizations. |
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| Built in 1891, the school housed four classrooms until the larger school was built next to it in 1917. Removing the belfry and replacing windows with glass brick and modern sash significantly modified the exterior design.
Photo from the Collection of Historical Society of Fort Washington, used with permission
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| This is the building 3-14-2012. |
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Page Updated 4-22-2012 |
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GATSME Model RR Club Inc.
P. O. Box 82, Fort Washington, PA 19034
215-646-2033
A 501-C-3 Corporation
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Site Designed and Maintained by
V. E. Pistilli
GATSME Lines |
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Copyright ©1999-2011 GATSME Lines Inc.
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Mailto:vpistilli@verizon.net |
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