June 14th 2025
DINNER AND A TRAIN RIDE !
HARVEY HOUSE DINNER
Saturday, June 14
Cordials: 6:30 pm
Dinner: 7:30 pm
GALVESTON, TX – Experience the fun and intrigue of a train ride while enjoying dinner! Immerse yourself in a club car experience on Saturday, June 14, at the Galveston Railroad Museum’s Annual Harvey House Dinner. The menu and customer service of the legendary Harvey House Diner, once located in the 1932 Train Depot, is revisited as we step back in time for a memorable evening.
The all-inclusive evening includes cordials, a seated dinner, wine, dessert, and entertainment. Reservations are required, $150 per person, and limited seating is at tables for four. Please respond by June 1 to reserve your ticket at www.galvestonRRmuseum.org/Harvey House, or call (409) 765-5700. Dress is 50’s railcar dining and proceeds benefit the renovation of the current exhibit The History of Railroading in Texas.
The History of Railroading in Texas is a comprehensive exhibit that documents the growth of the railroad and its impact on the growth and economic development across the state, circa 1830 – 1980. Commissioned in 1982 by museum founder Mary Moody Northen as a centerpiece of historic content, the exhibit was unveiled at the opening of the museum in 1983. Future plans for the exhibition include bringing the design and content up to current museum standards and extending the timeline. Located in co-joined repurposed baggage cars, the interior and exterior of the railcars will be renovated in compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as receive air system and electrical upgrades, improved signage, and touch screens to facilitate a learning experience. To meet our goal, we need support. The project is to be funded by grants, contributions, and fundraising events.
Once upon a time, the Harvey House Diner served guests in Galveston’s Union Passenger Terminal Station where it remained in operation until 1938. Travelers accustomed to ‘dingy beaneries’ with ‘rough waiters’ were pleasantly surprised by the attractive and courteous servers who became known as the Harvey House Girls.
Founder Fred Harvey operated a chain of restaurants that were located along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway in the American Southwest. Visitors to the Galveston Railroad Museum regularly walk through the space formerly occupied by the legendary diner to view exhibits appreciate the original marble floors, ceiling, and light fixtures. A Harvey House exhibit and photographs are on display in the depot where an original uniform is on display, and Harvey House cookbooks are available in the museum store.
The event will be hosted aboard the Northern Lights dining car built in 1990 by the Bombardier Company for Amtrak. A fully restored dinette, the car features a serving galley and comfortable four-seat dining booths.
Train rides are not just for kids! We all enjoy stepping into a new experience and the Harvey House Dinner will not disappoint. Guests are asked to arrive on time as the train will leave the station prior to dinner being served, so jump onboard and let us serve you!
Harvey House Dinner seats are limited so please make your reservations early. All aboard! www.galvestonRRmuseum.org (409) 765-5700. ###
