Marshall Steam Museum & Friends of Auburn Heights

05/27/2026

It's another at the Marshall Steam Museum!

As the temperatures rise, so does the steam. Today our Steam Team is hard at work on the 1913 Stanley Model 76 and 1914 Stanley Model 607, keeping these historic machines running strong for the season ahead. From routine maintenance to hands-on restoration work, every work session helps preserve the sights, sounds, and spirit of steam power.

Interested in getting involved behind the scenes? Join our volunteer team and help keep history in motion, or share this post with someone who would love getting their hands dirty with historic machinery and preservation work!

05/25/2026

At the Marshall Steam Museum, Memorial Day is a time for reflection, remembrance, and tradition—honoring those who came before us.

We are grateful to share this reflection from Tom Marshall:

“I have always liked Memorial Day or, as some old folks called it, Decoration Day. There are two main reasons it is a favorite holiday: I like what it stands for, and it signifies the unofficial beginning of summer. When I was growing up, we always put up the huge 48-star flag on our 108-foot-high flagpole in the front lawn of Auburn Heights (taken down in the early 1980s), and after I started driving, I would take my mother to Union Hill Cemetery (Kennett Square), Hockessin Friends Burial Ground, or Old Drawyers near Odessa where she would put flowers on graves of family members.”

These memories speak to the heart of what Memorial Day represents: honoring family, preserving tradition, and taking time to remember those who shaped our lives and communities.

From all of us at the Marshall Steam Museum and Auburn Heights, we wish you a happy Memorial Day.

05/19/2026

This heat has us thinking ahead to perfect baseball weather and summer nights at the ballpark.

This season, the Marshall Steam Museum is proud to sponsor the 8th inning for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of the game-day energy at Frawley stadium. We love the atmosphere, the fans, and the way the ballpark brings the community together—and we’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with such a great local institution.

When you’re out catching a game this year, take a moment to enjoy that classic baseball feeling under the lights… and when you’re ready for more local history, steam, and innovation, come visit us at the Marshall Steam Museum as well.

So grab your seats, enjoy the season, and stay cool out there.

Steam on, Blue Rocks! ⚾🚂

05/15/2026

Great to see this video from the Delaware Public Archives, we wonder if any Steam cars were in the parade!

05/13/2026

It’s at the Marshall Steam Museum!

From water management training with our Steam Team, to track work and ballast laying by the Auburn Valley Railroad volunteers, to platform construction for the upcoming outdoor garden railway by the Yorklyn Valley Railroad crew—our volunteers are always hard at work behind the scenes.

Their time, skills, and dedication help keep our historic collection rolling while preserving these experiences for future generations to discover and enjoy. We’re grateful for every hour they give to make Auburn Heights come alive!

Interested in getting involved? We’re always looking for new volunteers to share their skills, learn something new, and help keep the steam running strong—reach out if you’d like to join the team!

05/07/2026

In honor of National Teacher Day, we’re highlighting the story of twin brothers Francis Edgar Stanley and Freelan Oscar Stanley, whose roots in teaching and lifelong curiosity helped inspire generations through innovation and invention.

Born in 1849 in rural Kingfield, Maine, the Stanley twins grew up tinkering, building, and questioning the world around them. Both attended the Farmington Normal School with plans to become teachers, and F.O. went on to serve as a principal in Mechanic Falls, Maine.

But their curiosity couldn’t be contained in a classroom for long. F.E. found his path in photography, opening a successful studio in Lewiston, Maine, while both brothers went on to invent, build, and innovate.

At their core, the Stanley twins never stopped being teachers. They simply changed their classroom—from schoolhouses to workshops, studios, and laboratories—sharing their knowledge through innovation, experimentation, and bold ideas.

Their story is a reminder that great teachers don’t just share knowledge—they spark it. And sometimes, that spark leads far beyond the classroom.

Photos from the Stanley Museum Archive

05/06/2026

The Marshall Steam Museum will still be open tomorrow and Friday from 1-4:00pm. Visitors are also welcome to explore the property and see our beautiful spring blooms. Come see us!

Mansion tours are cancelled for Thursday, May 7th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
We will reopen with tours running on Friday, May 8th, 2026. We hope to see you on a tour soon!

05/04/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for Train Day at Auburn Heights! With beautiful weather and a great crowd, it was a fantastic afternoon filled with trains, smiles, and visitors of all ages enjoying the site.

We loved seeing families, railfans, and first-time guests exploring, riding, and making memories together. Your enthusiasm is what keeps the steam going!

Thanks to our friends at and Aikenback Live Steamers for joining us. Also a big round of thanks to our volunteers with the Auburn Valley Railroad and Yorklyn Valley Railroad group and all the other helpers that made this day special.

We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon for more fun at the museum.

Tag us in your photos!