Railroad House Historical Society, Sanford

About Railroad House Historical Society

The Railroad House Museum preserves the history of Sanford and Lee County through exhibits housed in two landmark structures. The museum occupies an 1872 Victorian home, downtown Sanford's oldest house, which was built by the Raleigh & Augusta Air Line Railroad as a residence for the town's first depot agent. Parked beside the home stands a 1911 steam locomotive, a Consolidation-type engine from the Atlantic and Western Railway. Inside, visitors explore multiple floors of exhibits featuring objects donated over decades that document local history. The home itself tells a story: originally built on Hawkins Avenue, it was moved to its current location in 1962 after community members formed the Railroad House Historical Association to save it from demolition. Volunteer docents offer small group tours during open hours, with advance scheduling available for larger groups. The museum is staffed entirely by volunteers and operated as a nonprofit organization in downtown Sanford.