April 18, 2008
Visitors can take a fresh look at what the iron road created in The West the Railroads Made, a presentation enhanced by the participation of railroad historian Carlos A. Schwantes.
The West the Railroads Made recounts how the idea of a Pacific railroad grew through the 1840s and 1850s, how it came to life in the second half of the 19th century, and how it reconceived itself to survive new challenges by the late 20th century. The exhibit will focus on the battleground between the river cities St. Louis and Portland, and the railroad cities Chicago and Seattle/Tacoma. It will feature more than 80 artifacts, including rare railroad ephemera, photographs, paintings and other three-dimensional pieces.
This exhibit is generously supported by M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, TTX, Union Pacific Railroad, Ajax Foundation, The News Tribune, Tacoma Rail, Port of Tacoma, and the Dimmer Family Foundation. The program is organized by the Washington State Historical Society with the Barriger Railroad Library of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Carlos A. Schwantes will make a special presentation on April 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington State Historical Museum in Tacoma.
