Courtesy photo One of the restored trolleys at the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell is among those that will resume running as the museum reopens after 18 months. (Courtesy photo)

LOWELL, Massachusetts — An 18-month hiatus thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic has ended for the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell, which will be open weekends going forward.

Katie Orlando, executive director of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, which operates the museum as a satellite of the society’s popular Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, said the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The museum, at 25 Shattuck St. in Lowell, “showcases the history of the streetcar, more commonly known as the trolley, and is a must see for those who love learning about railroads, transit history and Lowell history,” according to Orlando.

Admission is $3 per person; $2 per person for seniors and children ages 3-12, and is free for children under age 3.

Precautions in place at this time include masks being required inside the museum, Orlando said. Also, capacity limits on admission will be implemented if needed to ensure social distancing. High touch surfaces will be frequently sanitized by museum volunteers. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the museum.

Photo courtesy of LIKELOWELL.COM Passengers enjoy a ride through Lowell's mills district on a restored trolley before the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum has reopened after 18 months. (Photo courtesy of LIKELOWELL.COM)

“Children will love the variety of interactive exhibits and displays, especially the museum’s hands-on activities,” Orlando said.

“Knowledgeable, friendly volunteers are available to answer questions and to offer guided tours of the exhibits.”

Also, a small play area and other transit artifacts are on display outside the museum. The average museum visit by families is 45-60 minutes.

Before or after a visit, visitors can hop on one of Lowell National Historical Park’s trolleys for a free trolley ride, with a stop near the museum. Trolleys are running on a reduced schedule this season due to the pandemic, Orlando said.

Metered, on-street parking is available in front of the museum and is free on Sundays. Parking is free in the National Park Service Visitor Center lot every day. The museum is located across the street, at the Mack Building.

For more information, go to www.nps.gov/lowe/planyourvisit/hours, contact info@trolleymuseum.org or call 978-458-5835.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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