The Redwood Empire Railroad History Project was conceived in the mid-1980s when members of Roots of Motive Power and the Mendocino County Museum organized an effort to provide for a permanent home in Willits CA for the Roots collection. The history project was conceived in four phases:

In 1989 then Roots President Jack Wade, working with Dan Taylor, Director of the Museum, applied for a transportation grant which would provide for the construction of a $229,000 steel Restoration Building on property to the east of the Museum. It took 10 years for this process to come to fruition, but in the summer of 1999 work was started and in September of 2000 the first equipment was moved into the new building.

In 2000 a second grant was applied for and in the Spring of 2002 work commenced on the Exhibition and Learning Center and Engine House. This work was completed in the winter of 2002 and a dedication ceremony was held in the new facility on December 21st of that year.

By July 2003 phases I, II and a portion of phase III had been completed. The official opening was held 7/4/03, along with the Golden Spike Ceremony celebrating the linking of track from the Roots Restoration Building to the new Engine House. The loop track around the playing fields is in progress.

The Exhibition Building is a multi-use facility. In addition to the adjoining Engine House there are three classrooms, an Exhibit Hall, an Exhibit Room and a Research Library. All of these areas are directly connected to the main Museum display areas and to the Museum offices and artifact conservation room. The new Roots office is also in the Exhibition and Learning Center.

	RERHP Introduction
	History
	Research Library
	Photo Galleries
		2005 Holiday Model Train Exhibit
		2003 Holiday Model Train Exhibit
		Golden Spike Ceremony - 7/4/03
		Exhibition and Learning Center - opening 7/4/03