Golden Spike Legacy Society

Estate planning benefits you & preserves railroad history.

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Introducing the Golden Spike Legacy Society

Each of us hopes to make a meaningful difference and leave something valuable for those we care about most. By aligning your assets with your values, you create a roadmap for lasting impact.

The California State Railroad Museum Foundation proudly introduces the Golden Spike Legacy Society (formerly the CP Huntington Society). This program provides tools for developing thoughtful estate plans while considering the benefits of including provisions for your favorite nonprofits.

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Estate Planning Benefits

Through estate planning, you can create meaningful impact for generations while securing financial benefits today for yourself and loved ones.

By including our organization in your financial plans, you ensure railroad preservation and education continue far into the future. You'll join forward-thinking supporters whose generosity transforms lives and upholds the Foundation’s mission. Whether through a bequest, charitable trust, or other planned giving instrument, your legacy gift makes a lasting difference while offering potential tax advantages and income benefits during your lifetime.

This summer, the Foundation will launch seminars and tools to assist with estate planning. Each fall, we gather Golden Spike Legacy Society members to thank them and share updates from the California State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897—recognizing their extraordinary commitment to western railroad heritage preservation and education.


Get More Information

Interested in learning more about giving opportunities? Complete our confidential form to discuss a giving plan that aligns with your charitable goals and helps preserve railroad history for future generations. You can also contact our Director of Development, Karen Bradley Follette, by email or by phone at (916) 445-8255.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Golden Spike Legacy Society (formerly known as the CP Huntington Society) is the California State Railroad Museum Foundation's program for recognizing and supporting donors who have included the Foundation in their estate plans. Like the visionary railroaders who built America's first transcontinental railroad, these thoughtful planned gifts help lay the tracks for the Museum and Railtown's future.

Your planned gift supports both the California State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897. Your generosity helps preserve America's railroad history and ensures that the fascinating world of trains continues to educate and enchant visitors for generations to come.

You can join by including the California State Railroad Museum Foundation in your estate plans. This can be done through:

  • A bequest in your Will or Trust

  • Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan

  • Designating the Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy

  • Other planned giving instruments

As a member of the Golden Spike Legacy Society, you will receive:

  • An exclusive invitation to the annual Legacy Dinner where new members are welcomed

  • VIP access to exhibit openings and special events

  • Regular updates on preservation projects and restoration

  • Recognition on the Museum Donor Wall

Your planned gift helps ensure that future generations can experience the golden age of railroading and understand its crucial role in building the American West. Specific activities that can be supported include:

  • Restoring locomotives and railcars

  • Supporting special exhibitions and programming

  • Preserving precious railroad artifacts and documents

  • Providing seed funding for innovative educational programs

  • Training the next generation of restoration specialists

  • Maintaining historic buildings, grounds, and track

Yes! Beginning this summer, the Foundation will launch seminars and tools to assist with estate planning. These resources are designed to help you develop thoughtful estate plans while considering the benefits of including provisions for your favorite nonprofits.

Yes, planned giving can offer potential tax advantages and income benefits during your lifetime, while also creating a meaningful legacy. Your planned gift can secure financial benefits today for yourself and your loved ones.

Each fall, the Foundation gathers Golden Spike Legacy Society members to thank them and share updates from the California State Railroad Museum and Railtown 1897. This is our way of recognizing members' extraordinary commitment to western railroad heritage preservation and educational programs.

For more information about planned giving options or to notify the Foundation of your planned gift, please contact Development Director Karen Bradley Follette at [email protected] or (916) 445-8255. The Foundation can work with you and your advisors to create a giving plan that achieves your charitable goals while preserving railroad history for future generations.