Railroad Night Report: The Past & Future

We had a double turn out.
An early crowd:

And a later crowd:

A woman engineer/designer for the B&O when women in jobs of such import was unheard of, jewelry/watch shops in downtown Grafton, cinders covering the town...

Our railroad history is a fascinating and valuable part of our past; it can be a part of our future, too.

While the railroad memorabilia (The Wonder Drink Company!) and memories were worthwhile & fascinating....

...the greatest part of the evening, for me, was what can best be described as 'generativity.'

To use Erik Erikson's word, 'Generativity' is the need to do something productive and worthwhile with one's life in order that there be something to give to the next generation.

The past: Grafton was a railroad boom town that burgeoned with industry & ideas.

The future: Grafton's rich history is the foundation for building a solid tourism-based economy that will allow us to share our memories and keep them alive.

We can look over our shoulder at where we've been, but we have to look toward the future to give something worthwhile to our children and grandchildren.

Grafton was, is, and will be a good place to call home (or if you're not so lucky, just stop in for a visit when you can).

Thank you, Ray, for sharing with us.

I hope that you'll consider doing it again.