If that old green building on the Vestal parkway looks like it was dropped straight from the 19th century, that's because it was.

Built in 1881, the D.L & W depot was originally a stop on a railway connecting Binghamton to Buffalo, just across the parkway.

Abandoned after the 1960s, it was then used as a warehouse until the town of Vestal purchased it for $201 to turn it into a museum.

"There's only a few historic buildings here in Vestal and this is a major one, so definitely feel lucky that they decided it was important enough to pick up back in 1972 and move it here,"  said Vestal Museum Director Cherese Rosales.

On a cold snow day in December 1972, the depot was moved across the street to the library campus, where it underwent four years of restoration.

"I just moved to Vestal. I did watch it be moved because I was interested," said Vestal Town Supervisor John Schaffer. "Why are they moving it over there? I didn't agree with the spot back then, and I don't agree with the spot today, but we made it work."

Now, nearly 50 years after moving, the museum is returning to the railway, which now houses the Vestal Rail Trail. It will be located about 100 yards east of the Coal House Cafe.

Museum directors said the high foot traffic on the walking path will only increase attendance.

"I believe that where we're going to put it is the best spot it can be. It's going home, right next to its Coal House buddy. I think between the two, we're going to have a little historic district," said Schaffer.

Rosales said moving the building from its location on the parkway to the Vestal Rail Trail could open them up for National Historic Status which would provide much more funding in the future.

"A building like this should be protected and preserved and if we receive National Historic Status, that will forever make sure that the building is protected," Rosales said.

The museum is expected to be moved sometime in late summer or early fall.

If you'd like to visit the museum before the move, it's open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.