CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society (C&OHS) has partnered with Base Camp Printing Company of Charleston, West Virginia, to create a unique poster celebrating the iconic railroad passenger car “Chessie 29.”
The C&OHS aims to restore Chessie 29 and has teamed up with Base Camp Printing to raise funds and awareness for the project.
Base Camp Printing Company, owned by Emily and Betsy Sokolosky, used their vintage printing expertise to craft a custom-designed poster capturing Chessie 29’s history. The poster, inspired by a photograph from C&OHS’s archive, showcases the car at Logan, West Virginia’s train station.
The Sokolosky sisters meticulously carved linoleum blocks and used a 1950s-era Vandercook printing press to bring the poster to life.
Chessie 29, a passenger car with significant ties to West Virginia’s history, played a role in the state’s past. Notably, in 1956, C&O Railway President Walter Tuohy and President Dwight Eisenhower traveled aboard Chessie 29 from Washington to White Sulphur Springs.
This journey led to the construction of a secret bunker beneath The Greenbrier to protect Congress members during a potential nuclear attack.
Mark Totten, President of C&OHS, emphasized Chessie 29’s importance as a mobile museum and educational tool for future generations.
“It was pure joy and an honor to collaborate with Base Camp Printing Company on this artwork promoting our project, but we are especially excited to further share the story of Chessie 29’s significance to West Virginia history and the history of the Cold War,” Totten said.
The limited-run posters, measuring 11″ x 17″, are available for $75.00 on ChessieShop.com or by contacting C&OHS’s Business Office.
The collaborative effort between C&OHS and Base Camp Printing Company not only honors historical significance but also preserves history through art. The project celebrates Chessie 29’s role in world history and its ties to the Cold War era. Emily Sokolosky of Base Camp Printing expressed her joy in contributing to the restoration cause.
Base Camp Printing Company, known for its letterpress expertise, has created an exquisite piece of art that pays homage to Chessie 29’s legacy. The partnership between C&OHS and Base Camp Printing celebrates the intersection of history, art, and preservation.
For more information about the project and updates, visit archives.cohs.org or follow @cohs.org on Facebook and @ChessiesRoad on Instagram.
