History in Motion:
Keep the Trolleys Rolling

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Join the National Capital Trolley Museum in preserving the history, technology, and stories of electric transit. Your gift helps us maintain and grow our collection, inspire students through education, and keep our trolleys rolling for generations to come.

We’ve identified four key projects and programs that need your support this year. Every donation—large or small—helps make a lasting difference.

PLEASE NOTE: This page is for monetary donations only. However, there are multiple ways to support the museum, including donating objects/artifacts or volunteering with us. Click here for more information on object/artifact donations, and here to sign up to volunteer.

Support Museum Operations and Administration

Help us keep the museum running smoothly year-round.

Your contribution to this campaign supports the day-to-day operations that make everything we do possible—from maintaining exhibits and facilities to ensuring that our dedicated staff are supported through fair wages and resources.

This vital funding allows us to continue offering engaging experiences, educational programs, and public trolley rides that connect visitors with transit history.

Bringing HTM 1006 to the Museum

Expanding our international collection with a remarkable new arrival.

The HTM 1006, from The Hague, Netherlands, is the museum’s latest acquisition—a significant addition that broadens our international collection and tells a global story of streetcar innovation.

Your donation will help cover the costs of transporting this historic trolley safely from Europe to the National Capital Trolley Museum, where it will be preserved, interpreted, and shared with visitors for years to come.

Restoring the Seats of DC Transit 1430

Preserving comfort and authenticity, one seat at a time.

The seats aboard DC Transit 1430, one of our most beloved streetcars, need restoration. Your donation will help us refurbish these historic seats, using authentic materials and craftsmanship to restore their original charm and ensure the car remains a highlight of the museum’s collection.

Expanding Our Education and STEAM Programs

Inspiring the next generation through hands-on learning.

Our education team is working to update the museum’s curriculum to meet modern learning standards and expand our STEAM program, allowing more students to discover the science, technology, engineering, art, and math behind electric railways.

With your support, we can develop new materials, enhance classroom partnerships, and welcome even more students to the museum for engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences. By connecting history with hands-on exploration, these programs turn historic streetcars into dynamic classrooms that spark curiosity and critical thinking.

Tracks and Tunes Concert Collaboration with Washington Conservatory of Music

Help the National Capital Trolley Museum bring history and music to life through Tracks and Tunes, a special outdoor concert in partnership with the Washington Conservatory of Music.

Slated for early summer 2026, this unique event will blend the charm of vintage streetcars with the energy of live classical and contemporary performance—creating a vibrant, family-friendly evening where the past meets the present. Your support today will help us transform our scenic lawn into a shared space for culture, community, and creativity, inviting audiences of all ages to experience a one-of-a-kind celebration that educates, inspires, and enriches.

 FAQs

  • Yes! To the fullest extent of the law. The National Capital Trolley Museum is owned and operated by the National Capital Historical Museum of Transportation, Inc. A private 501(c)(3) charity organization registered in the District of Columbia. Please use the email confirmation you receive after donating for tax purposes. For mailed checks, your donation receipt will be mailed to you by the end of the year in which you donated.

  • Absolutely. Please mail your check made out to the National Capital Trolley Museum at TREASURER - NCTM 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, MD 20905. We are not liable for any checks lost in the mail and highly advise against mailing cash.

  • Be sure to follow us on social media and sign up for our RPO email newsletter for the most up to date museum news.

  • No! To make a general donation, click here.

Every Gift Keeps the Trolleys Rolling

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Every Gift Keeps the Trolleys Rolling *

Your generosity fuels everything we do—preserving history, inspiring learning, and connecting communities

Help ensure that the story of electric transit continues to move forward.