The Monterey Depot Historical Society has completed a major restoration project to turn a 1940s dining car into an event space at the Monterey Depot Museum.
Monterey Depot Historical Society Member Rafferty Cleary said the car received a top-to-bottom restoration that includes brand new amenities, a furnished interior, and sewer and water connections. Cleary said the dining car can hold up to 50 guests, and the space is truly one-of-a-kind.
“Regionally, locally, to our knowledge, there is nothing like this, and I think that makes it unique,” Cleary said. “You know, I’m really excited bout the fact that we see this as just another tie in to what I believe is a really vibrant and up and coming downtown area.”
Cleary said the space has endless possibilities but ultimately will be rented out to the public to host events and gatherings. Cleary said he hopes the new space will bring a positive economic impact to the downtown businesses of Monterey.
“I would like to think that as we hold events and as we rent it out to people, that these folks will go out and shop in our stores, and they will eat in our restaurants, and spend the tax dollars in the town of Monterey, and that’s always a plus,” Cleary said.
Cleary said it took an estimated $300,000 to complete the project. Cleary said completing the project is a major accomplishment.
“This is a project that the Monterey Depot Historical Society has been wanting to accomplish for many, many, many years, and finally were able to see it through and get it completed,” Cleary said. “And so speaking for some of our past members who are no longer with us and some of our current members, or even some members who are just not active with us anymore, it means a whole lot.”
The Monterey Depot Historical Society will host a ribbon-cutting to officially open the space on October 27.
