05/14/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2026
Colfax Railroad Museum Receives State Support Through Wisconsin Non-State Grant Program
COLFAX, Wis. — The Colfax Railroad Museum announced today that it has been awarded funding through the State of Wisconsin’s Non-State Grant Program, approved this week by the Wisconsin State Building Commission and announced by Gov. Tony Evers.
The grant will support the museum’s ongoing efforts to preserve, restore, and protect historic railroad equipment and expand educational and tourism opportunities in western Wisconsin. The funding is part of approximately $248 million in statewide infrastructure and community development projects approved through the State Building Commission.
The Colfax Railroad Museum plans to utilize the funding to preserve the restoration work performed on our collection of locomotives and rail cars with the construction of a covered building and installation of solar panels.
“This investment is a tremendous boost for our museum and for railroad preservation in Wisconsin,” said William Sakalaucks, chairman of the Colfax Railroad Museum. “The Colfax Railroad Museum is dedicated to preserving the stories, equipment, and heritage that helped build communities across the Midwest. Support from the State of Wisconsin helps ensure these historic artifacts will be protected and accessible for future generations.”
Created through Wisconsin’s biennial budget process, the Non-State Grant Program supports local infrastructure improvement and community development projects that serve a public purpose, including museums, libraries, community centers, and cultural institutions across the state.
Gov. Evers highlighted the importance of investing in museums and tourism-related projects throughout Wisconsin, noting that projects supported through the program help strengthen local economies, preserve history, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
The Colfax Railroad Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting railroad history through restoration projects, educational programming, and public exhibits. The museum’s collection includes historic locomotives, rolling stock, and railroad artifacts representing the region’s rich rail transportation heritage.
Projects approved by the Commission include $50 million to support 71 local community development projects across the state funded through the Non-State Grant Program
