We launched a successful Kickstarter campaign in February of 2018, and in less than 30 days, we raised nearly $30,000 from over 100 people--friends like you who appreciate the joy that comes from connecting to Seattle's unique past. Now the campaign continues as we explore how to retrofit and reintegrate Seattle's historic Benson Trolleys on the South Lake Union, First Hill and Center City lines. Stay tuned on how you can donate and help us engineer the needed upgrades to the vehicles. 

In addition, it's never too late to become an official Friend of the Benson Trolleys!

Share your memories with us and join the effort to bring back our rich civic history and two stunning vintage trolleys to the streets of Seattle. 

Please take a moment to like us on Facebook and Instagram!

“Trolleys help more than anything to give us a sense of history. And they provide a free-spirited sense of adventure along with a sense of community. What’s not to love?”
— Barbara
“As a child I rode the trolleys along the waterfront with my grandmother. I met then mayor Norm Rice on a trolley when he stepped aboard the one I was riding. I love our city’s history.”
— Steven
“When my kids were little, we would ride bikes and catch a Benson Trolley to Mariner games. Great memories for us all.”
— Peter
“This is such a great way to keep Seattle’s history alive and a great fun way to see the city. They will bring back some “charm” to the city, I’m all for it!”
— Diane
“The Benson Trolleys are a useful, beautiful and environmentally-friendly part of Seattle’s history. Tourists and locals alike will love having them back and using them!”
— Arwen
“As a little girl I remember riding the waterfront trolley on my 7th birthday. I felt so cosmopolitan and grown-up, and those moments inspired me to want to live in the city, to contribute toward it’s success. The Benson Streetcars take us into the future while honoring and reusing the past!”
— Alex
“Known of them ever since I was a kid, and always thought they are the best because I mean, they have air whistles; I mean, how cool is that?! and I feel that trolleys just aren’t trolleys without them!”
— Seth
“I want to see them back again!”
— Vincent

FRIENDS OF THE BENSON TROLLEYS

Jonathan Bahe

Eric Berlinberg

Don Blakeney

Linn Blakeney

Charles Bond

Noelle Bond

Harvey Bowen

Jasmine Braam

Stacy & Lee Bradley

Betsy Braun

Greg Briggs

Don Carter

Maribeth Chadwell

William Cline

Morgan Conley

Marie Cooley

Conor Corkrum

Brad Curran

Heidi Dabbs

Colton Davis

Matt Davis

Peter Davis

Kris Durgin

Bruce & Laura Eidelson

Joan Enticknap

Kurtis Eveleigh

Troy Finlayson

Seth Finley

Ivan Fossa Ferrari

Stephen Fesler

Ben Franz-Knight

Jonathan Frazier

Robby Fregosi

Justin Gailey

John Gardiner

Dan Gardner

Suzanne Geiger

Jean Gibbs

Karen Gibbs

Tom Gibbs

Gabriel Grant

David Greekas

Alex Grummer

Duncan Haas

Rebecca Hale

Chris Hamlin

Gwen Hanson

Tim Harrington

Jonathan Hopkins

Lisa Howard

Alex Hudson

Heidi Hughes

Brian Huneke

Carol James

Casey James

Fred Jarrett

Martin Johansson

David John

Drew Johnson

Ken Johnson

Tom & Rose Kapsky

Rebecca Karschney

Ellen Kern

Robert Lawrence

Nichole Leigh

Jake Lowry

Denise Mauldin

Justin McCarthy

Diane McElroy

J.D. Mitchell

Edgar Modin

Julius Modin

Tomio Moriguchi

Karl Nelson

Christopher Newell

Christopher Nix

Mike O’Malley

Stan Orr

Wolf Owczarek

Thomas Owen

BJ Patch

Ryan Price

Nathan Proudfoot

Ana Raab

Bryan Reeves

Laini Render

Daniel Robinson

Joseph Rose

Bob Rothwell

Chuck Russell-Coons

Ira Sacharoff

Richard Sandaas

Brad Serbus

Frank Shrontz

Cameron Simpson

Amy Sjoberg

John Stewart

Vicky Swalley

Dawn Takeuchi

Ellen Teapot

Carl Todd

Karen True

Barbara Trunkhill

Jess Turner

Krina van Ry

Kyle Vixie

Dan Vogel

Gordon Werner

David Wiggins

Steven Wilson

Dave Winkler

Sarah Zook