Section one
Privacy
The short version: the museum doesn’t sell your data. We collect the minimum to run a small website, and we keep it only as long as we need it.
When you visit this site, the museum’s analytics provider (Google Analytics 4) records anonymized data about your visit: pages viewed, approximate location by region, browser, and how you got here. This helps the museum understand which exhibits and posts are resonating.
If you sign up for the newsletter, your email is stored at Mailchimp and used only to send the museum’s newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of any newsletter.
If you donate through one of our donation platforms, your contact and payment information is handled by the platform under their privacy policy. The museum receives your name, email, and gift amount — not your payment details.
Section two
Cookies
The short version: essential cookies keep the site working; analytics cookies load only if you accept them in the consent banner. You can change your choice at any time.
When you first visit, a consent banner appears before any non-essential cookies are set. Until you make a choice, only essential cookies are active — the ones the site needs to function and to remember your consent. They don’t track you across other websites.
Analytics cookies (Google Analytics 4) are set only after you accept them. They help the museum understand which exhibits and posts are resonating — pages viewed, approximate region, browser, and how you arrived. The museum sets no advertising or marketing cookies.
To change or withdraw your consent at any time, click the cookie-settings gear icon shown on every page to reopen your choices. You can also clear this site’s cookies through your browser at any time.
Here is the full, current list of cookies this site uses, with each one’s purpose and how long it lasts:
Essential
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| wpconsent_preferences | This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences. | 30 days |
Statistics
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Learn more| Name | Description | Duration |
|---|
| _gac_ | Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together. | 90 days |
| __utma | ID used to identify users and sessions | 2 years after last activity |
| __utmt | Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests | 10 minutes |
| __utmb | Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server. | 30 minutes after last activity |
| __utmc | Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session. | End of session (browser) |
| __utmz | Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server | 6 months after last activity |
| __utmv | Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server. | 2 years after last activity |
| __utmx | Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test. | 18 months |
| _ga | ID used to identify users | 2 years |
| _gali | Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked | 30 seconds |
| _ga_ | ID used to identify users | 2 years |
| _gid | ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity | 24 hours |
| _gat | Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager | 1 minute |
Section three
Terms of use
The short version: read freely. Cite the museum when you quote us. Don’t republish archival photos without asking.
Everything on this site that the museum authored — blog posts, exhibit text, event details — is published for educational use. Quotes with attribution are welcome. For longer excerpts or reuse in publications, please contact the museum.
Many of the historical photographs and railroad heralds reproduced on this site remain the property of their original publishers, photographers, or successor companies. They are reproduced under the museum’s research and educational mission. For commercial reuse, contact the museum and we will help you reach the appropriate rights-holder.
Section four
Donor data
The short version: we never share or sell donor information. We acknowledge gifts. We do not publish donor names without permission.
When you give to the museum, your name, email, and gift amount are recorded for tax-acknowledgement purposes. The museum sends a receipt for any gift, and a formal acknowledgement letter for gifts of $250 or more, in compliance with IRS requirements.
The museum does not exchange or sell donor lists with any other organization. Donor names are not published on this site or in the newsletter unless the donor explicitly consents.
If you wish to give anonymously, indicate this when you donate, or email the museum after giving.
