Restaurant Week to Benefit SCV Historical Society

If you’ve been curious about how eating a hamburger can help preserve a priceless artifact, wonder no more. The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will be the beneficiary of “Hungry for History” restaurant week August 24-30 in Old Town Newhall, when local restaurants will be donating a percentage of their sales for one day during that week to the preservation group. Those who enjoy adult beverages can help out as well; for example, Eighth & Rail is donating $1 for every Moscow Mule sold during that week.

Brewery Draconum was the first to sign up when the event was proposed at an Old Town Newhall Association (OTNA) meeting, followed quickly by Teagan’s Tea Garden, Sushi on Main, Eighth & Rail, Maginn’s, The Press Room, and Newhall Refinery. More restaurants are signing up as this goes to press, updated listings with dates and specials will be available in mid-August.

The SCVHS is an active participant in OTNA and wanted to do something that would help raise funds for both the restaurants and the Society. All of the participants are on Main Street between the Old Town Newhall Library and William S. Hart Park, where the Santa Clarita History Center is located.

“We’re lucky to be so close to the variety of restaurants like those on Main Street in downtown Newhall,” said Historical Society President Alan Pollack. “With the Saugus Train Station Museum opening, we know that the number of our visitors will increase, and we always get asked for recommendations for places to eat. It’s encouraging to get the support of so many of our neighbors down the street.”

On July 26, a limited portion of the Saugus Train Station opened to visitors for the first time since the pandemic closures. Visitors will see a completely renovated and historically accurate Southern Pacific station agent’s office with artifacts authentic to the 1950s, when the station was the most active. Displays in the waiting room pay homage to the meeting of the east and west rails at Lang in 1876 and the contributions of the Chinese workers to the cross-country railroad. The museum will open in phases, with the next phase to feature an exhibit of Southern Pacific hospitality services, to be followed by immersive experiences in the station’s freight room.

Hours for the museum are 1-4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Saugus Train Station Museum is located in the Santa Clarita History Center, within William S. Hart Park in Newhall.