June 3rd Grand Opening for Historic Amqui Station in Madison, TN

[TN_Trains]

June 3 Grand Opening for Historic Amqui Station and Visitors Center Announced by Discover Madison, Inc.

Renovated 1910 Train Station includes Display about Music & Railroadsand Legacy of Johnny & June Carter Cash Madison, TN --  Discover Madison, Inc. invites the community to attend the Grand Opening of the historic Amqui Station and Visitors Center on Thursday, June 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Elected officials, civic and business leaders, and the Mayor of Amqui, Quebec, Canada, will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony marks the culmination of more than seven years of planning and work to restore the historic 1910 L & N railroad train station that served as a focal point for the community just north of Nashville. Amqui Station and Visitors Center is located at 301 Madison Street, behind the Madison Library.   “Many people have been involved in this project; it truly was a community effort,” said Nathan  Massey, president of Discover Madison, Inc. and owner of  Wm Massey Electric. “June 3 will be a celebration of their efforts as well as the opening of this historic site.”  The new Amqui Station and Visitors Center will include features that honor the past and provide facilities for the Madison community today.  It will include a museum that explores the connection between railroads and American music. One section of the museum will spotlight the legacy of Johnny and June Carter Cash, who had a great impact on the music industry, Tennessee and the Madison community.  The renovated train station will also include displays about the history of Madison and surrounding communities. In addition, the station includes a spacious meeting room, restrooms, and an information center. A covered pavilion next to Amqui Station will host community events and concerts throughout the year. 

 

Johnny Cash Saved Station from Demolition  Built in 1910, Amqui Station was a focal point for the Madison Community for many decades.  At its height, it saw as many as 40 – 50 trains daily.  After years of service, the depot fell into disrepair, and was scheduled to be razed.  However, because of his great love of trains, country music superstar Johnny Cash intervened.  He was  given the old train depot in 1979 and moved Amqui Station to his property in Hendersonville, northeast of Madison. He restored it to display his collection of train memorabilia as well as June’s collection of antiques. Upon Cash’s death in 2003, Halo Properties purchased Amqui Station and donated it back to the city of Madison.  The station was returned to Madison in June 2006 and situated near its original site to be revitalized as a museum and visitors center.   Historic Station and ‘Green’ Features Restoration work began in October 2009. Hardin & Barga Construction, Inc. was the contractor. The $1 million project included installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system, a green option that will save electricity and also preserve the historic appearance of the facility. The geothermal system uses the heat of the earth to warm and cool the structure.  Since the ground’s core temperature is about 54 degrees Fahrenheit, the system will only have to heat or cool from that point, which will reduce energy costs by about half.  Because of this system, there will not be any HVAC units attached to the building.  Additional green aspects of Amqui Station include energy-saving lighting, water systems and landscaping.    Massey noted, “2010 marks the 100^th anniversary of the construction of Amqui Station.  Because of the restoration project, it will once again be a focal point in the Madison community.”   For additional information about Amqui Station and Visitors Center visit www.discovermadisontn.com or call 615-865-5400. #       #       #