Historic Amqui Station revives Madison (original) (raw)

Through the historical intrigue of Amqui Station, a local nonprofit is seeking to promote the Madison community.

The former railroad station has quickly become one of Madison's biggest attractions, and community leaders hope it will draw more people to the area.

Cate Hamilton, Amqui Station's executive director, is excited about some of the latest developments, which include more workshops, community outreach activities, a collections room for artifacts and even a summer camp. "I would love to see it embraced by Nashville-Davidson County," Hamilton said. "I hope that it really is not only the Madison community."

In addition, a recent donation of about an acre of land by AT&T will allow for more storage space and programming at the station for upcoming events such as "A Night at the Museum," a theatrical performance put on by volunteers in which attendees can experience the station as it once was.

Built in 1910 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Co., Amqui Station served the Madison community with — at its peak — more than 40 trains in its care.

Country music legend Johnny Cash visited often. As he walked through the station, Cash sang the well-known song "The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore."

"I remember Johnny and June coming over and sitting with Dad in the evenings," said volunteer Terry Burnett, whose father was the station agent there for more than 30 years. "People were just always really fascinated by the train station."

Cash acquired the Amqui in 1979 and relocated it to Hendersonville, where it featured his train memorabilia as well as June Carter Cash's international antique shop.

When Cash died in 2003, the station was donated back to Madison. After $35,000 was raised through the nonprofit Discover Madison Inc., the station was moved in 2006 onto land donated by AT&T about a mile south of its original location.

"They've done a great job with restoring it," Burnett said. "When I go up to that main room and I see the switches and everything, it just brings back a flood of memories."

Amqui Station now functions as a museum and visitor center where people can experience a taste of railroad history through educational programming, tours, special events, music festivals, the Amqui Station Farmers Market and more.

"I'm hoping that people will see it as a place where the community can gather, where we can share history and heritage and music and what a community is," Hamilton said. "And that's why I think it's important for us to be able to preserve and promote, educate and celebrate."

Reach Mignonne Bryant at 615-830-6168 and on Twitter @mignonnebryant.

VISIT AMQUI STATION

Where: 301 Madison St., Madison

When: Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Cost: Free, but donations are accepted

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

What: Theatrical performance by volunteers

When: Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m.

Where: Amqui Station

Cost: 5forages15andover;5 for ages 15 and over; 5forages15andover;2 for ages 6-14; free for ages 5 and under