Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum

What Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum does

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, operated by the Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation, Inc., that preserves and restores historic steam locomotives and railroad rolling stock. The facility centers on an authentic 18-stall brick roundhouse with a 115-foot turntable, a back shop capable of full locomotive restoration including boiler ultrasonic thickness testing, machining, fabrication, and Federal Railroad Administration 15-year inspection compliance, and a 30,000-square-foot Timken Foundation Car Shed protecting rail cars from weather. The collection comprises 25 steam locomotives (including rare Camelback types and the 108-foot, 572-ton Bessemer & Lake Erie #643), diesel locomotives, freight and passenger equipment, and cabooses. Public tours run seasonally April through November, with portfolio products spanning 90-minute standard Roundhouse Tours ($12-$20), premium three-hour Ferroequinologist Tours ($75) and Yard Tours ($80), youth and group tours, and a calendar of special events including the Fall Steam Festival, Steam to Victory (a WWII-themed living history partnership with Dennison Depot Museum), Santa Comes to the Roundhouse, Evening Lantern Tours, Caboose Rides, and a newly launched Winter Speaker Series.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across admissions (sold online via FareHarbor and at the depot), three annual membership tiers ($25-$80), special event ticketing, an on-site and online gift shop, premium photo-shoot experiences (e.g., $520 per person), and tax-deductible donations processed through DonorBox across multiple designated funds (General, Boiler/Endowment, Running Gear/Restoration, Tender/Operations, Train Crew/Education). Marketing is event-driven and concentrated on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, the museum's website, and a Constant Contact email newsletter, supplemented by earned media. Group bookings of 20+ people are accepted via email at least 30 days in advance with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Following founder Jerry Joe Jacobson's death in 2017 and his wife Laura's passing in November 2025, operations continue under Executive Director Peter J. Poremba (appointed 2021), Foundation Manager and Executive Director Nathan Vance, Chief Mechanical Officer Tim Sposato, and Chairman William Strawn, with a new 10-stall East Roundhouse under construction and expected to open in 2026.

Name

Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum

Legal name

Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://ageofsteamroundhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum is a non-profit museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, operating an 18-stall brick roundhouse and 115-foot turntable that preserve and restore a collection of 25 historic steam locomotives. It serves the general public, railfan enthusiasts, families, and groups through seasonal guided tours, special events, and educational programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Railroad Museum

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museum & Landmark Guided Tours (Skip-the-line/Docent-led) (THAJAAAC), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Steam locomotive preservation
• Heritage railroad tours
• Locomotive restoration services
• Educational museum tours
• Historic railroad exhibits

Headquarters

HQ city

Sugarcreek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission and Tours: Revenue from ticket sales for various tour types including standard Roundhouse Tours, specialized Ferroequinologist Tours, Yard Tours, and Youth Tours. Tickets sold online via FareHarbor and at the door.
2. Special Events: Revenue from special events including Fall Steam Festival, Steam to Victory, Santa Comes to the Roundhouse, Caboose Rides, Evening Lantern Tours, Touch-A-Truck, and Winter Speaker Series. Some events include vendor fees and reenactor registrations.
3. Membership Programs: Annual membership tiers (Youth's CabooseClub $25, Roundhouse Regular $50, Family Flyer $80) offering free admission, discounts, and exclusive access to events and merchandise.
4. Gift Shop Sales: On-site and online merchandise sales including apparel, books, toys, jewelry, reproductions, and collectibles featuring locomotive imagery.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation supporting restoration projects, operations, education, and endowment. Multiple donation categories including General, Boiler (Endowment), Running Gear (Restoration), Tender (Operations), and Train Crew (Education).
6. Photo Shoot Events: Exclusive photo shoot events such as the No. 19 photo shoot at $520 per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum preserves and restores historic steam locomotives in an operational 18-stall brick roundhouse with a 115-foot turntable. It sells guided public tours (Roundhouse Tours, Ferroequinologist Tours, Youth Tours, Yard Tours, Evening Lantern Tours), seasonal train experiences (Caboose Rides, Santa Comes to the Roundhouse), and annual events (Fall Steam Festival, Steam to Victory, Touch-A-Truck). The museum generates revenue through tour admissions, event fees, annual memberships, gift shop merchandise, and tax-deductible donations supporting restoration, operations, and education programs.

Product overview

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum is a living railroad museum and restoration facility offering a portfolio of guided tours, special events, educational programs, and membership opportunities. Core offerings include Roundhouse Tours (90-minute guided experiences of the 18-stall brick roundhouse and locomotive collection), Youth Tours (family-friendly 45-minute interpretive tours), and premium Ferroequinologist Tours (3-hour in-depth technical tours). Special events include the annual Fall Steam Festival (free admission featuring steam machines and vintage base ball), Steam to Victory (WWII-themed living history event), Santa Comes to the Roundhouse (holiday train rides), Touch-A-Truck/Touch-A-Train (youth vehicle exploration), Evening Lantern Tours (ghost stories by lantern light), and Caboose Rides. The museum also offers Winter Speaker Series lectures, Group Tours for organizations, and Volunteer Programs. Supporting offerings include Membership Programs (CabooseClub, Roundhouse Regular, Family Flyer tiers) and a Gift Shop. The museum preserves and displays a collection of 25 locomotives (steam and diesel), freight equipment, passenger equipment, and work equipment/cabooses, maintained in a heated 18-stall roundhouse with an adjacent 115-foot turntable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Roundhouse Tours Guided 90-minute interpretive tours of the 18-stall brick roundhouse, 115-foot turntable, and locomotive collection, offered April through November on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm. Pricing is tiered by age ($20 Adults 17-64, $17 Seniors/Veterans 65+, $12 Youth 3-16, Free under 3).
• Youth Tours 45-minute interpretive tour designed for younger train enthusiasts and families, exploring steam locomotives, rolling stock, and the turntable while learning basic concepts of steam locomotive operation. Offered June through August on select afternoons. Children ages 3-16: $5.00; Adult Chaperone 17+: $10; under 3 Free.
• Ferroequinologist Tours Extended three-hour guided tour for knowledgeable railroad enthusiasts covering steam locomotives, restoration shop, turntable, machine shop, and storehouse with focus on technical aspects of steam engineering, locomotive mechanics, and industrial heritage. Priced at $75 per person (all ages), limited group size.
• Yard Tours Unique tour allowing guests to view normally inaccessible railroad equipment from within a moving passenger car pulled by diesel locomotive, plus turntable positioning and radial track exploration. Priced at $80 per person (all ages).
• Evening Lantern Tours Family-friendly 90-minute evening tours featuring ghostly tales and stories of railroad legends, led by staff storytellers around the roundhouse during autumn twilight hours. Flashlights and flash photography prohibited. Adults 17+: $25; Youth 3-16: $15; Ages 2 & Under: Free.
• Caboose Rides Train rides in historic cabooses coupled together and pulled by diesel locomotive through museum grounds. Riders experience the golden era of railroading from within antique cabooses. Priced at $4 per person; tickets purchased at the depot on the day of the event (no online tickets).
• Fall Steam Festival Annual free-admission event featuring steam machines, vintage base ball games, steam tractor demonstrations, shingle mill and belt-driven implements, and museum steam locomotive rides. Includes vendors, barbershop quartet, and family activities celebrating historic Americana. Train rides: $6; 1.6" Scale Locomotive Rides: $2; Vintage Handcar Rides: $5.
• Steam to Victory World War II-themed event commemorating American railroads' role in the Allied victory, featuring living history reenactments, military vehicle displays, artillery demonstrations, static railroad displays, and living-history reenactors. Partners with Dennison Railroad Depot Museum. Gate Entry: $5; Roundhouse Tour: $15; Train Ride: $6.
• Santa Comes to the Roundhouse Holiday event featuring steam-powered train rides to the roundhouse for visits with Santa Claus, surrounded by historic steam locomotives. Includes photo opportunities, holiday crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, and complimentary gift bags for children. Children 3-17: $15; Adults: $25; under 3 Free.
• Touch-A-Truck, Touch-A-Train Free youth-focused event allowing children to explore and climb inside vehicles of various sizes including police cars, fire trucks, semi-tractors, farm tractors, and emergency vehicles. Free admission for all ages; roundhouse tours available at additional cost.
• Group Tours Customized guided tour opportunities for groups of 20 or more individuals, available April through November, Tuesday through Saturday at 11am and 1pm. Tours can be tailored to general or specialized railroad history interests. Booked via [email protected] with $100 non-refundable deposit at least 30 days in advance.
• Winter Speaker Series Annual lecture series featuring guest speakers discussing railroad history topics including the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, locomotive history, and railroad infrastructure. Held January through March. Priced at $5 per person.
• Membership Programs Three-tier annual membership structure: Youth's CabooseClub ($25/year), Roundhouse Regular ($50/year), and Family Flyer ($80/year). Includes free tour admissions, gift shop discounts, special event discounts, and exclusive newsletters. Yearly memberships expire December 31st.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% visitor satisfaction with visitor surveys rating 4.8/5.0 for overall experience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Dennison Railroad Depot MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2026Partnership to co-host 'Steam to Victory: Homefront to War Front' - a two-day World War II-themed event on June 19-20. The event commemorates the role of American railroads in WWII through living history reenactments, military displays, and train rides at both venues.
• Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society (CPH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025The museum acquired former Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) 2-6-6-2 steam locomotive #1308 from CPH in Huntington, West Virginia. CPH had displayed the locomotive outdoors in a city park since 1962. The museum will transport and restore the locomotive in its heated roundhouse facility.
• AEP, Amtrac, BeeLine Transfer, Erb's Coleman Museum, Garaway Local Schools, JD's Gourmet Hot Dogs & More, Ohio Central Railroad, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Operation Lifesaver, ProVia, Sugarcreek Fire Department, The Village of Sugarcreek, Train on Time, Tuscarawas County Visitors Bureau, Tuscarawas County Sheriff, ZembaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal businesses and organizations that participate in the Touch-A-Truck, Touch-A-Train event by showcasing vehicles and equipment for youth to explore.
• Barbershop Harmony Society (Akron Chapter)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLock 4 barbershop quartet performs at the Fall Steam Festival during the event.
• Genesee & WyomingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJerry Joe Jacobson sold the Ohio Central Railroad System to Genesee & Wyoming in 2008, enabling construction of the roundhouse. The museum maintains historical connection to the railroad industry through this relationship.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Railroad Museum: Railroad heritage museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with significant locomotive collection and educational programming. Comparable as a regional railroad museum offering guided tours and educational experiences.
• Gold Coast Railroad Museum: Railroad heritage museum in Miami, Florida, with a collection of historic locomotives (including the FEC #153) and rail cars. Comparable as a specialty transportation museum with interpretive tours.
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum: Heritage railroad museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with restored locomotives, excursion rides, and restoration shops. Comparable as a working heritage-rail museum with in-house restoration and special events.
• Dennison Railroad Depot Museum: Railroad heritage museum in Dennison, Ohio, focused on WWII-era troop-train history and railroad operations. Direct co-marketing peer (partner on 'Steam to Victory') and geographically adjacent in eastern Ohio.
• Steamtown National Historic Site: National Park Service site in Scranton, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the history of steam railroading with a large collection of historic locomotives and active restoration operations. Comparable as a major steam-heritage collection and interpretive site.
• Strasburg Railroad: Heritage tourist railroad and rolling-stock collection in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, offering excursion rides, museum tours, and locomotive restoration. Closely comparable as a working heritage-rail museum with active steam/diesel operations and museum retail.
• Heritage Park of North Iowa: Regional heritage complex in Forest City, Iowa, featuring historic buildings and a railroad exhibit. Comparable as a multi-themed heritage attraction with railroad interpretation, though smaller scale.
• Nevada Northern Railway Museum: National Historic Landmark in Ely, Nevada, preserving a complete copper-hauling short-line railroad with operational steam locomotives and shop facilities. Comparable as a niche heritage-rail attraction emphasizing restoration and operational authenticity.
• Mid-Continent Railway Museum: Steam-era railroad museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin, featuring restored rolling stock and excursion train rides. Comparable as a heritage-rail museum offering guided experiences and seasonal operations.

Others

• HeritageRail Alliance: Industry trade association representing tourist railroads, railway museums, and heritage rail preservation organizations in North America. Comparable as the awarding body for the museum's 2025 Significant Achievement Award and a key sector peer ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AoSRoundhouse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXwX5BVGXUjYhwCvTr-jQQw
• Facebookfacebook.com/ageofsteamroundhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/ageofsteam
• Pinterestpinterest.com/ageofsteamroundhousemuseum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/age-of-steam-roundhouse-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum