Railroad museum recreates historic building

The restrooms at the Frank DeRosa Railroad Museum are being renovated to recapture a piece of Havre's history.

Debbie Paulsen, who is on the museum's board, said firefighters and community members are volunteering to remodel the restrooms to imitate the front of the old Havre train depot, which is depicted in photos around the museum.

In addition to the remodeling, those affiliated with the museum are moving some of the exhibits around to install more items that are tucked away in the back of the museum and to give the museum a fresh look.

Paulsen said her grandfather, Frank DeRosa, had a lot to do with opening the museum.

"We're hoping to make it a little more local, more representing Hill County and Jim Hill," Paulsen said.

Jim Hill was one of the major players in creating Havre by running his Great Northern Railroad along the Hi-Line including through what would become Hill County.

The Havre Fire Department firefighters make up the majority of the volunteers of the construction of the remodeling. The museum holds an antique fire truck of theirs.

The trusses used to create the roof of the depot model were donated by Bear Paw Lumber and Schine Electric has also donated to the project.

The first day of work for the remodeling was Tuesday and Paulsen said she thinks it will take around a couple months to complete it.