(Photo courtesy Stewart Library, Special Collections) Miniature train engines are seen on a float in 1919 during a parade in Ogden to mark the 50th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Photographs taken during the parade are featured in "Spike 50: Golden Spike Parade in 1919,” a free exhibit at Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden, through May 31.
Utah will mark the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad with gatherings, plays, music, film screenings and fireworks around the state this week.
On Friday, Jupiter and No. 119 replica steam engines will meet at Golden Spike National Historic Site, re-creating the May 10, 1869, ceremony held as the nation was first united by rail. Part of that celebration — including the performance of the musical “As One” — will be broadcast by KSL-Channel 5 and the Utah Education Network (UEN).
But Utahns can continue to enjoy art, artifacts and more for weeks and even months to come at exhibits around the state. Here are highlights, including where to see the ceremonial gold, silver and blended metal ceremonial spikes now reunited in Utah for the first time since 1869. Find details and even more events and exhibits at spike150.com.
Utah State Capitol
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Three of the spikes used at the ceremonial completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, shown at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in January. The spikes have since moved to the Utah State Capitol, where they will be on display in the Gold Room through June 24, 2019.
“Treasures of the Transcontinental Railroad” • Three of the four spikes used at Promontory Summit to signify the completion of the railroad will be on display, along with the original 1862 Pacific Railway Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln and other artifacts. Visitors are asked to find a place in line at least one hour before the close of the exhibition. | Utah State Capitol Gold Room, 350 N. State St., Salt Lake City; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.– 8 p.m; Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m., through June 24.
“Tracing the Path” • This exhibit uses historic images from by Alfred Hart and Andrew Russell and modern photographs by Li Ju to tell the story of how workers from California clawed through the Sierra Nevada mountains and flashed across Nevada to beat other builders from the East to the prize finish in Utah. | Utah State Capitol, 350 N. State St., Salt Lake City, 4th floor, through June 26.
“A World Transformed: The Transcontinental Railroad and Utah” • This traveling exhibit from Utah State University’s Merrill-Cazier Library and the Utah State Division of History includes exclusive photographs, lithographs, maps and artifacts from across the nation. It shares the story of Utah’s contribution to the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the railway’s effects on the state. | Utah State Capitol, 350 N. State St., Salt Lake City, 4th floor gallery until June 26; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. | It will then move to other locations through March 2020.
Salt Lake City
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The art exhibit "Transcontinental: People, Place, Impact" is on display at 300 S. Rio Grande Street through June 14, 2019.
“Transcontinental: People, Place, Impact” • This free exhibit features more than 35 artists, some of whom are direct descendants of railroad workers and American Indian tribes. Painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, installation and performance art and video explore the legacy and impact of the railroad. | Rio Gallery in the historic Rio Grande Depot, 300 S. Rio Grande St. (455 West), Salt Lake City; Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., through June 14.
“Path to the Pacific: Building the Transcontinental Railroad” • This exhibit from Special Collections at the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library includes a display of rare books, archival materials and two gallery walls showcasing photographs and artistic works depicting key locations and events in the building of the transcontinental railroad. | Marriott Library, 295 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City, level 3, through Aug. 15.
“Following in the Footprints of Chinese Railroad Workers” • This exhibit, sponsored by the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association, features images from Beijing photographer Li Ju. He was inspired to recreate 1860s photos taken along the railroad’s route. | Marriott Library, 295 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City, level 5, through Sept. 27.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Paricia LaBounty, curator of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, talks in Salt Lake City about the transcontinental railroad exhibit at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in January 2019.
“The Race to Promontory: The Transcontinental Railroad and the American West” • The historic ceremonial spikes have moved on to the Utah State Capitol, but this exhibit featuring photos and artifacts from the building of the transcontinental railroad goes on. | Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City; Tuesday and Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed Monday, through May 26. | Admission is $17.95 for adults; $14.95 for youths 6–18 and seniors; and free for children 5 and under, UMFA members, U. of U. students, faculty and staff and active military families. Free admission to the museum, $5 to the exhibit, on Saturday, May 18. Admission is $5 on Wednesdays after 5 p.m.
West Valley City
“Move Over, Sir! Women Working on the Railroad” • This free photo exhibit traces contributions women have made to the railroad industry over the past 150 years. | Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City; Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday, through June 26.
Park City
“‘Chinaman’s Chance’ on Promontory Summit” • This free art exhibit features the work of Zhi Lin as he confronts the lost history of the Chinese workers who built our nation’s railroads. | Kimball Art Center, 1401 Kearns Blvd., Park City; Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon–5 p.m., through June 2.
Provo
“Since the Golden Spike: 150 Years of Utah Railroad History” • This free photo exhibit explores the history of railroads in Utah from the driving of the Golden Spike to the present. | Brigham Young University Library, 2060 Lee Lane, Provo; Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; closed Sunday, through around June 30.
“After Promontory” • This free exhibit explores how photographers represented the West in the era of the transcontinental railroad and since. | Brigham Young University Museum of Art, Campus Drive, Provo; Monday–Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed Sunday, through Oct. 5.
(Photo courtesy Stewart Library, Special Collections) Men who worked on the transcontinental railroad in 1869 ride on a float in 1919. Photographs taken during the Ogden parade are featured in "Spike 50: Golden Spike Parade in 1919,” a free exhibit at Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden, through May 31.
Ogden
“Spike 50: Golden Spike Parade in 1919” • This free exhibit features photographs taken during the 1919 Golden Spike parade in Ogden, and includes images from local photographer Charles MacCarthy. | Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden; open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. through May 31.
Helper
“Spike 150: Helper and the Railroad” • This free art exhibition features two large paintings by artist John A. McQuarrie, depicting historic moments toward the creation of the transcontinental railroad. | Anne Jespersen Fine Arts, 167 S. Main St., Helper, through Aug. 2.
(John A. McQuarrie | Courtesy of Zions Bank) This painting by John A. McQuarrie — depicting construction of the Great Salt Lake causeway — will be part of an exhibition through Aug. 2, 2019, at Anne Jespersen Fine Arts in Helper, Utah.
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