The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society, Inc.
October 1, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandy Dudley
brandy@cohs.org
C&O Historical Society Releases Two Fundraising Calendars for 2026
Clifton Forge, Virginia – The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society is committed to preserving the legacy
of the C&O Railway and has recently released its annual fundraising calendars to support the 56-year-old
non-profit organization. Among these is the renowned Chessie “The Railroad Kitten” calendar,
recognized as the longest-running railroad-themed calendar in the United States.
This edition of the Chessie calendar is the 92nd issued since the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway originally
created the concept for the year 1934. This edition of the Chessie calendar features Chessie alongside
the trains and train cars she famously promoted. It reaffirms Chessie’s legacy as a timeless advertising
symbol, emphasizing her pivotal role in the marketing of the C&O Railway.
The Society has also published its traditional calendar dedicated to Chesapeake & Ohio steam
locomotive power. This year’s photographic C&O Steam Calendar showcases the remarkable work of
William Rittase, a photographer who was employed by the C&O Railway. Rittase’s
photography ranks among the finest of his era, capturing the essence of steam locomotion with
exceptional skill. This calendar measures 12×12 inches, making it a perfect addition for enthusiasts of
railway history and photography alike.
Our non-profit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, these calendars are available now
and can be purchased three ways: in person at the C&O Railway Heritage Center Museum Gift
Shop, the C&OHS’s satellite museum in St. Albans, West Virginia, online at ChessieShop.com,
or by calling 540-862-2210 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Proceeds support the
C&O Historical Society’s mission to preserve and interpret our transportation history, including
the story of Chessie the Railroad Kitten.
The C&O Railway Heritage Center gift shop is open from Friday to Sunday, between 11 AM and 4 PM,
located at 705 Main Street in Clifton Forge, Virginia. This shop will have these calendars and a variety of
other appealing merchandise, making it an excellent destination for holiday gift shopping.
The C&O Historical Society’s satellite museum at 400 4th Avenue, Saint Albans, West Virginia
is open on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 AM to 2 PM, and for special events.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society, Inc., established in 1969, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation dedicated to preserving, researching, and sharing the history of the American
railway experience using the C& O Railway’s history through a vast collection of drawings,
documents, and artifacts. More information about the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society and the
history of the C&O Railway, which includes Chessie, can be found online at cohs.org. The C&OHS archive
database is available online at archives.cohs.org. Support for our organization that derives its
revenue only from membership dues, retail sales, and donations from the public can be made
through our retail website, ChessieShop.com.
