St. Louis Suburban Journals (Missouri)

The new William R. and Laura Rand Orthwein Education and Visitor Center at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation is set to debut Wednesday, Feb. 29, at 3015 Barrett Station Road in Kirkwood.

The 14,000-square-foot, $2 million multipurpose building, which is phase one of a bigger project, will introduce guests to the museum's collection of artifacts. It will have a welcome area, Creation Station kids' area, a multipurpose room for special exhibits, an exhibit hall, and a gift shop and snack area, called the Boxcar Boutique. In phase two, more exhibit space will be added, possibly by the end of 2013. Construction on phase one began in 2009.

The project is being funded by a donation from the Orthwein family and federal transportation improvement project funds.

The Museum of Transportation is part of the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department. A non-profit Transport Museum Association supports the museum, raises funds for capital improvements, hosts special events, provides educational programming, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Visitors' Center, Creation Station, and the retail shop.

Museum admission is $5 for children ages 3 to 12 and $8 for those 13 and older. There are additional fees for the Creation Station and for train rides.

On March 9, a moving sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the former Creation Station in the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center. Items for sale include gently used toys and fixtures.

For more information, call (314) 965-6885 or visit www.museumstlouis.org.