Danbury Railway Museum to host Owney Day Celebration on July 12

Railway Post Office Dog Day
Danbury Railway Museum • 120 White St, Danbury, CT 06810
July 12, 2025
See below for ticket information

Railway Post Office Dog Day

Owney the Post Office Dog at the Danbury Railway Museum in Danbury, Connecticut — Owney the Post Office Dog

On Saturday, July 12, the Danbury Railway Museum will once again host a celebration honoring the legacy of Owney, the Railway Post Office dog. A centerpiece of the day will be the museum’s fully restored circa-1910 Pennsylvania Railroad Railway Post Office (RPO) car, where the U.S. Postal Service will offer a one-day-only special-event pictorial postmark.

The event, held at the museum at 120 White Street, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15 for all visitors age 3 and up and includes a train ride, a free Owney postcard, a dog treat for your furry friend, and a hot dog, drink, and chips. Trains will depart hourly at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, and 2:00.

Owney was a stray dog who wandered into the Albany, NY post office in 1888. Adopted by the Railway Mail Service clerks, he soon became the beloved mascot of this elite government service. He traveled throughout New York State, then across the country in RPO cars, and even journeyed around the world in 1895 as an official U.S. Post Office Department emissary. In 2011, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor. Owney’s preserved remains are on display at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC.

During the train ride, a museum docent will read from a 1930s children’s book recounting Owney’s story. A reprint of the book will be available for purchase at the front desk. Visitors can also explore the restored RPO car, where children will receive their free Owney postcard. After applying a stamp purchased from the on-site USPS clerk, kids can have the postcard hand-canceled with the special DRM Owney Day pictorial postmark. The postcard can be taken home or mailed to arrive a few days later—a unique keepsake of the day.

Children can also participate in a “Hunt for Owney” scavenger hunt.

The “Railyard Local” — a short ride aboard a 1920s passenger coach or caboose pulled by one of the museum’s vintage locomotives — will take visitors through the historic railyard past more than 70 vintage railroad cars and engines, including a Boston & Maine steam locomotive built in 1907. Riders will have the opportunity to ride the historic turntable (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and tour the steam-era water tower pump house.

Inside the restored 1903 Danbury station will be open, featuring fascinating exhibits, a fully stocked gift shop, and operating model train layouts.

Click here to learn more about the Danbury Railway Museum
Click here for the latest news at the Danbury Railway Museum
Click here for the updated events at the Danbury Railway Museum
Click here for more events in Danbury
Click here for the latest news in Danbury
Click here for news in Fairfield County
Click here for events in Fairfield County

Don’t miss

• New ‘Red, White & Blue’ and ‘Connecticut Flag’ collections highlight local pride
• Summer of Sound: Free Children’s Concert Series returns to Levitt Pavilion
• Chinese gorals make debut at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Patriotic shirts for every Connecticut town

From the quiet corners of Litchfield County to the shoreline streets of New London, we’re bringing hometown pride and American spirit together. Our patriotic shirts are custom-designed for every town in Connecticut—so you can celebrate where you’re from and the red, white, and blue. Perfect for parades, backyard BBQs, or just repping your roots with pride.

Because in Connecticut, every town has a story—and every story deserves stars and stripes.

As of 6/15 – Shirts will be finished by the end of the week – mugs and tote bags to follow.

Fairfield County
Bridgeport • Stamford • Norwalk • Danbury • Greenwich • Fairfield • Stratford • Shelton • Trumbull • Newtown • Westport • Ridgefield • Darien • New Canaan • Bethel • Monroe • Wilton • Brookfield • New Fairfield • Weston • Redding • Easton • Sherman

New Haven County
New Haven • Waterbury • Meriden • Hamden • West Haven • East Haven • Milford • Naugatuck • Cheshire • Branford • North Haven • Guilford • Southbury • Ansonia • Madison • Derby • Prospect • Middlebury • Beacon Falls • Bethany • Wallingford • Seymour • Wolcott • Orange • Oxford • Woodbridge

Hartford County
Hartford • West Hartford • East Hartford • New Britain • Bristol • Manchester • Southington • Enfield • Glastonbury • Newington • Windsor • South Windsor • Wethersfield • Farmington • Simsbury • Bloomfield • Rocky Hill • Berlin • Avon • Plainville • Windsor Locks • Granby • East Windsor • Canton • Burlington • Marlborough • Hartland • East Granby • Suffield •

Litchfield County
New Milford • Torrington • Watertown • Plymouth • Winchester • Woodbury • Litchfield • New Hartford • Harwinton • Salisbury • Washington • Barkhamsted • Bethlehem • Goshen • North Canaan • Sharon • Roxbury • Morris • Bridgewater • Norfolk • Cornwall • Colebrook • Warren • Canaan • Kent

Middlesex County
Middletown • Old Saybrook • Portland • East Haddam • Haddam • Durham • Westbrook • Essex • Killingworth • Deep River • Middlefield • Chester • East Hampton • Cromwell • Clinton

New London County
Norwich • Groton • New London • Waterford • East Lyme • Stonington • Montville • Griswold • Old Lyme • Lebanon • North Stonington • Preston • Salem • Lisbon • Sprague • Voluntown • Bozrah • Lyme • Franklin • Mystic • Colchester • Ledyard

Tolland County
Vernon • Mansfield • Ellington • Coventry • Stafford • Somers • Hebron • Willington • Columbia • Bolton • Andover • Tolland • Union

Windham County
Windham • Killingly • Thompson • Putnam • Brooklyn • Woodstock • Canterbury • Pomfret • Ashford • Sterling • Chaplin • Hampton • Eastford • Scotland

Don’t miss our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall

Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping

Farmington Polo Club

The Farmington Polo Club is set to offer a vibrant lineup of events this June, blending competitive polo with festive themes and family-friendly activities.

June 28, 2025 – Cowgirl Cup

Click here to purchase tickets

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater

Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates November with All Star Sumo, John Legend & a season like no other

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited stories of the week

Danbury Railway Museum to host Owney Day Celebration on July 12