The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (PTM) has been nominated for USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards for Best Small Town Museum and successfully achieved recertification as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), a designation awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been nominated for Best Small Town Museum in USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards, with daily online voting happening now until Feb. 9 at 11:59 a.m. EST. This national award recognizes excellence in small town museums and the nomination highlights PTM’s commitment to preserving the trolley era for generations to come. Winners will be announced on Feb. 18.
“We are honored to be included in USA Today’s 10Best voting, a recognition of Pennsylvania Trolley Museum as a premier transportation museum in America,” said Jeanine L. DeBor, Executive Director/CEO. “Our museum is committed to educating all on the importance of the Trolley Era and how it shaped today’s transportation technology and innovations. Maintaining our certification from the IBCCES is central to our mission and dedication to inclusivity.”
PTM was awarded IBCCES Certification in 2024 and achieved accreditation for another two years effective January 2026. This recertification highlights the museum’s continued dedication to the ongoing professional development of its staff through autism-specific training to better understand and assist autistic or sensory-sensitive individuals and their families during their museum visit.
In addition to their inclusivity training, PTM has a dedicated classroom, a cool-down space, and an adult changing table. Sensory bags that include noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets are always available for guests upon request.
For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been the leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for health care, education and corporate professionals around the globe. IBCCES created programs specifically for hospitality and recreational organizations, such as hotels, theme parks, museums and other attractions so staff would be more knowledgeable and other accommodations could be offered to this growing, but underserved, part of the community. IBCCES is the only credentialing board offering these types of programs, which include training from subject matter experts and autistic self-advocates, as well as long-term support, continuous learning and more.
The Museum is currently open during winter seasonal hours, which are Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm through Memorial Day.
Directions: The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is located at 1 Electric Way, Washington, PA 15301. Take I-79 North to Exit 40 (Meadow Lands) or I-79 South to Exit 41 (Racetrack Road) and then follow signs for the Trolley Museum. For a full listing of special events and other programs offered at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, visit the museum’s website at www.patrolley.org or call 724-228-9256.
About Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
Established in 1954, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating its collection of historic transportation equipment, artifacts and archives and utilizing the collection and other resources to provide an unparalleled immersive experience that brings the technology and culture of the Trolley Era alive through entertaining, educational, and diverse programming. It is committed to enhancing the knowledge of transportation technology and culture to educate and inspire future generations of innovators.