Who we are, what we do…
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Chessie System Historical Society is to study and assist in the preservation of the history of the Chessie System Railroads. In doing so, Society members collect and exchange information related to the three railroads that composed the Chessie System during the 1970s and 1980s: The Baltimore and Ohio, The Chesapeake and Ohio and the Western Maryland. It is the society’s position that the Chessie System represented the best of North American railroading during the era in which it existed, both in terms of it’s dynamic visual appearance and it’s strong financial track record.
The Chessie System Historical Society, Inc., is a United States, Ohio-based, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded/chartered in the year 1997. It operates under approved bylaws to provide historical information and preservation of the Chessie System Railroads. Membership in the society is based on annual dues and open to the general public. Anyone with an interest in Chessie System Railroad history is encouraged to join.
At this time, we do not physically operate in publicly-accessible building or museum location like our fellow brethren historical societies representing Chessie System Railroads subsidiaries. In the near future, more information about changing this will likely be provided. The Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Chessie News, to convey historical information to the members. It also maintains this website for more general information to the public at large.
In addition to continual emphasis on assembling a virtual collection of historical information pursuant to our not-for-profit status, our website and social media content provides instant updates on Society doings to the members and public. We strive to get members together in person annually whenever possible. Annual conventions are held in June of each year approximately in rotating locations. Each location selected is typically historically significant to the Chessie System. More on Conventions can be found in our members only forums and the Annual Convention information.
The Society also maintains a photo archive of several thousand Chessie images. Additionally, the society maintains an archive of railroadiana including paint diagrams and small items used by the railroad. Some of these items are available as a Non-Profit to the general public, but given the fact that membership dues sustain the organization, certain items require membership to access the archived information.
The Society also provides commercially available books and accurate models through a Company Store. This store is available on line as well as through display tables at several major railroad shows across the East Coast. Information about these will be posted as they are announced.
Donations are taken of photographic and archival materials. If you wish to make a monetary donation to the CSHS, please send your contribution to the Treasurer at the Society address listed on the home page. For items and articles related to the Chessie System, please contact the Preservationist or Society Secretary using contact information on this site.
Day-to-day operations of the Society are completed by the Officers, Board of Directors and several standing positions. Officers serve two year terms and include the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of Directors is composed of five directors serving two year terms. The standing positions include Editor, Events Coordinator, Librarian, Merchandising Director, Operations, Paper Archivist, Photo Archivist and Preservationist.