The man behind the museum’s model train display
Published 4:31 pm Saturday, December 12, 2009
Last weekend’s model train show at Northbridge Mall and the annual Christmas gathering at the Freeborn County Historical Museum could serve as a reminder for some people of the late Georges Denzene.
This enthusiast and nationally recognized expert on the model train hobby was the type of person who would have participated in this annual show at the mall. In fact, Denzene was one of the original promoters who also provided a display, according to Jerry Monson, the show’s organizer.
At the museum, Denzene was the person who provided model train displays for the Christmas gatherings and other special occasions from his personal collection.
In fact, several displays in the museum next to the fairgrounds entry on North Bridge Avenue still perpetuate Denzene’s part in this still-popular hobby.
In the past, Denzene could provide model trains operated by electrical controls, windup keys and even larger engines and cars that could be pushed or pedaled around the room by children.
One of the museum’s displays depicts a living room or parlor scene from the past. In the center is a small Christmas tree, and around the base of this seasonal centerpiece is a circular track for a model train.
This particular display could serve as a nostalgic reminder of an era when a child came into the parlor or living room to see what Santa left under the Christmas tree. For the children and the father, the small electrical or windup train became the focus for hours upon hours of enjoyment.
In the lower level of the museum are two displays relating directly to Denzene.
One is a large case containing nine separate model train sections made by Lionel (a famous toy firm now 109 years old), American Flyer, Hefner, and the Marx and Mettoy firms of Great Britain, plus several cast iron and larger versions. Above this display is a special section explaining Denzene’s role in the hobby of model train collecting.
Not far away is a large separate display with a large map and photos Denzene helped to create that shows the full extent of the contributions of railroads to life in both Albert Lea and Freeborn County. This display helps to emphasize Albert Lea’s role in being a regional transportation hub and crossroads for several railroad lines. This display also confirms that Freeborn, Hollandale, Maple Island, Conger, Twin Lakes and Emmons were once served by branch lines radiating out of Albert Lea and Clarks Grove.
Denzene was a teacher in the Albert Lea system from 1955 until retiring in 1979. He was well known for collecting and repairing model trains and as the author and editor of several publications based on this hobby. Another aspect of his civic activities was being a volunteer and board member of the Freeborn County Historical Society.
Denzene died on March 26, 2001.
Above the display in the museum’s lower level is a poster that says Georges Denzene was a “Train Enthusiast, Collector, Author, Editor, (and) Museum Volunteer, Advisor, Donor.”