All aboard for a lifetime of memories! Your favorite holiday tradition returns to the Brandywine Museum of Art with model trains, dollhouses, and other miniature wonders, along with towering trees adorned with our signature, handmade “Critter” ornaments.
A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad features model trains running on 2,000 feet of track and contains more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival. A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery of the expansive O-gauge layout, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. There's also a variety of interactive push buttons and foot pedals for visitors to engage with on the display.
Support for the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display is provided by The Davenport Family Foundation Fund for Exhibitions, JPMorganChase, and Herr Foods.
NEW THIS YEARThe Wonderful World of Wyeth MiniaturesImage
 Adding to the trove of tiny treasures on view, The Wonderful World of Wyeth Miniatures features a dollhouse and model trains that were previously owned by members of the famously creative Wyeth family, which they lovingly outfitted with handcrafted tiny furnishings, paintings, and unique details. On view in Brandywine’s Strawbridge Family Gallery, this exhibition includes two model train displays that belonged to artist Jamie Wyeth and Nicholas Wyeth, both sons of the renowned American artist Andrew Wyeth. Nicholas Wyeth’s 8x12 foot standard gauge train display features historic “tinplate” Lionel trains from the 1920s and 30s traveling around colorful buildings and scenery, including a grand bridge modeled after New York’s iconic Hellgate Bridge and a grouping of military miniatures collected by his father, Andrew. Jamie Wyeth’s 4x6 foot N-gauge train display—one of the smallest model trains and originally co-owned by Wyeth and his friend and fellow toy collector, artist Andy Warhol—features personalized details by both artists, including a miniature figurine modeled after Wyeth’s famous Pumpkinhead self-portrait. Image
 Wyeth Miniatures will also include one of the rooms from a captivating nine-foot-tall dollhouse previously owned by Ann Wyeth McCoy—the talented composer, pianist, and daughter of N.C. and Carolyn Bockius Wyeth—which was built by her husband, the artist John McCoy. Outfitted by her family with several handmade furnishings, the dollhouse room is decorated with miniature paintings by her sister and brother-in-law Henriette Wyeth and Peter Hurd, as well as by her brother Andrew Wyeth. One of Jamie Wyeth’s tiny paintings designed for the dollhouse will be displayed for the first time in years, and several miniature furniture creations by Nathaniel Wyeth, Ann's mechanical engineer brother, will also be on view along with their hand-made crates, each carefully lettered: “It’s another miniature from the Wyeth shops.” |
Holiday Hours:
Beginning November 16, 2024 through January 5, 2024, the Brandywine Museum of Art will be open daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day, and closing early on Christmas Eve at 1 p.m.). Between December 26–30, the Museum will be open later for extended holiday hours from 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. The Brandywine Railroad holiday train display and The Wonderful World of Wyeth Miniatures are both included in the cost of general admission.
Special Holiday Events:
Sensory-Friendly Access Hours: Brandywine Railroad
November 20 & January 2, 5–7 p.m.
After-hours access to the Brandywine Railroad for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorder and their families.
Breakfast with the Trains
November 24, December 7, January 4, 8:30–10 a.m.
Enjoy early access to the Brandywine Railroad before the Museum opens, plus a continental breakfast in the Millstone Café.
Holiday Critter Sale
November 21–24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Member preview sale on November 20)
Browse and shop from thousands of unique, handcrafted ornaments made from all-natural materials by the Brandywine’s dedicated and talented volunteers.
The Polar Express Read-Aloud Pajama Night
December 4, 6–8 p.m.
Children are invited to wear their pajamas as they delight in the tale of The Polar Express and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and exclusive access to the Brandywine Railroad.
Children's Holiday Party
December 11, 6–8 p.m.
Visit with Santa and enjoy entertainment, costumed characters, model trains, trees adorned with Critters and tasty treats in the Museum's Millstone Cafe.
Holiday Choral Concert: Lancaster Chamber Singers
December 15, 2 p.m.
Enjoy a holiday musical performance by The Lancaster Chamber Singers at the Brandywine Museum of Art.