Cowan Railroad Museum

05/13/2026

Our railfan appreciation day is coming up this Saturday! We'll have hotdogs on the grill and drinks available for everyone. Bring a chair and hang out with us at the coolest train watching spot around!

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/11/2026

Here's another reason to Visit Cowan in 2026! Our first Pollinators event on Saturday, May 16th! This will coincide with our Railfan Appreciation Day at Cowan Railroad Museum. Details forthcoming...

04/02/2026

We'd like to take a moment to say "Thank You!" to all of our members and supporters. Whether you could make it to the annual meeting or not. Without you, the museum would not be what it is today. We have a lot of great things planned for 2026!

If you are looking for a great way to help out, we have a work day planned for April 25th. We plan on cleaning, making some repairs, and generally getting the museum ready for visitors. Lunch will be provided to those helping out. If you have any questions about a particular project or way you can help, reach out to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (931) 967-3078

03/24/2026

Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. will hold our Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 26th at The Franklin House / Firefly Gallery in Cowan. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and refreshments will be served.

The purpose of the annual meeting is to review the museum's program of work from the Year 2025, set goals for 2026, and approve a new operating budget.

Voting and participation requires advance payment of annual membership dues. (No additional payment required for Lifetime Members.)

Membership dues are $20.00 per person ($10 for students) and can be paid online at the links below. (This year we invite you to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a $50 Green and Gold Membership!) Dues are also payable by check to CRM, PO Box 53, Cowan, TN 37318. Yes, dues can also be paid at the door of the event, but please arrive early to allow sufficient time.

The Franklin House / Firefly Gallery is located at 108 E. Cumberland St. in Cowan, near the railroad and across from the Old Texaco Welcome Center.

03/21/2026

Courtesy of Iron Rail Cams, the New PTZ camera was installed today, be sure to view it on IRC's YouTube channel for the museum!

10/20/2025

Wow, this place is so cool! 😍 > https://www.travellerselixir.com/tennessee-time-machine-town/

10/20/2025

This year marks 125 years since the opening of Nashville Union Station! Today it's one of Music City's finest hotels, but it would be even nicer if we could arrive there on the train...

10/18/2025

The museum will be closed on Sunday, October 19th; however, you can still be part of railroad history! We're joining Franklin County Historical Society for a lecture on the Ghost Railroads of Franklin County. The lecture will be Sunday afternoon, October 19th, 2 p.m. at Farris Chapel United Methodist Church. The topic will cover the railroad operation of the former Davidson, Hick and Greene Timber Company. Farris Chapel is located at 2981 Rowe Gape Rd / Hwy 16 (at the foot of Keith Springs Mountain).

10/10/2025

Cowan Railroad Museum will be open on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (instead of the usual 10 to 4). The abbreviated schedule is due to sickness among our team of volunteer tour guides. We plan to be open on Sunday, October 12, for the regular posted hours of 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy the weather, and come see us soon!

10/03/2025

On Saturday, October 4th, the museum will be open from 1 to 4 (instead of the usual 10 to 4).

09/25/2025

49 YEARS AGO the Cowan Beautification Commission saved the historic Cowan depot! The L&N Railroad agreed to cancel the scheduled demolition of the depot if the Commission agreed to move it to a safer distance from the mainline railroad track. On September 21, 1976, the move was accomplished. Shortly thereafter, Cowan Beautification Commission re-organized as Cowan Railroad Museum, Inc. The people of Cowan made history while preserving history, and we are forever grateful.