This past weekend, my husband and I attended the Galveston Railroad Museum’s Annual Harvey House Dinner. The experience, inspired by the legendary Harvey House Diner that was once located in the 1932 Train Depot, invited guests to journey back in time and enjoy railroad dining in a series of historic rail cars.
What made the evening even more special was that the railcars actually departed from the station to journey down Harborside and back during the evening. It was truly a not-to-be-missed experience!
The dress recommendation for guests was “1950s railcar dining,” and it was so much fun to see what everyone wore.
We checked in at 6:15 p.m. to board the train and were invited to order cocktails from the bar, then explore all the rail cars. I couldn’t resist ordering a classic “Sidecar,” which seemed appropriate for the evening.
Following the sound of delightful live music, I wandered one car past the bar car into The Arthur R. Carmody, Jr. Memorial Library car, which was created from a repurposed Amtrak luggage car. Musicians played as guests enjoyed their cocktails, surrounded by a collection of rare and collectible books on the history of railroads.
With refreshments in hand, my husband and I returned to the dining car, where we joined friends to enjoy delicious appetizers and conversation.
After a few minutes, dinner was announced, and attendees were invited to elegantly set tables in the next dining car to enjoy a five-course meal. The dishes, created by Riondo’s Restaurant, were incredible! A guitarist entertained during dinner with enchanting music – just the ticket to enhance the atmosphere.
Proceeds from the evening will support the renovation of the current exhibit “The History of Railroading in Texas,” a comprehensive exhibit that documents the growth of the railroad and its impact on economic development throughout the state from circa 1830 to 1980. Future plans for the exhibition include upgrades to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with improvements to the air system and electrical systems, enhanced signage, and touch screens to facilitate a learning experience. Now that’s a worthy cause!
The three-hour experience seemed to fly by (guess we lost “track” of time), and by the time we reached the end of the line, we were already discussing inviting more friends to join us for next year’s event! Now, I definitely want to encourage you to be there too, but be sure to save a spot for me, as tickets to this special evening are limited.
