May 27, 2019 Dean’s Message, June 2019
Celebrating “Spike 150” with Exhibitions
During these beautiful spring days, I love seeing the trees and flowers in full bloom and the mountains at their greenest, with just a little snow on top to remind us that winter was indeed here just a few days ago. While there are many reasons to spend time outdoors, this is also the perfect time to visit the Marriott Library. In joining with the community to celebrate “Spike 150,” the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike and the wedding of the rails that occurred on May 10, 1869, the library is featuring four different exhibitions this summer and fall.
On level five, we are hosting the exhibition “Following in the Footprints of Chinese Railroad Workers,” created by the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association. This thoughtful display features “then and now” photographs of significant locations along the line and brings to light the crucial role that Chinese immigrants played in completing the railroad.
On level three you will find an incredible exhibition entitled “Path to the Pacific: Building the Transcontinental Railroad,” which features an enormous photograph of the famous “Wedding of the Rails,” taken at the driving of the Golden Spike. Rare books, archival materials, photographs, and artistic works from Special Collections make up this exhibition.
This fall, the exhibition Train Tracts, which features artists books created by artists and authors from across the nation, will be available for your viewing on level 1. These books have been “riding” on Amtrak, enjoyed by travelers near and far.
“Scenic Routes: Utah as the Center of the Railroad in the West” will be displayed on level 4 June 15 – September 13 and will feature rare book and archival materials from Special Collections related to the development of the railroad after 1869. Materials include famous resort and scenic railroads, the railroads contribution to mining development in Utah, and the stories of mostly immigrant railroad workers.
The Marriott Library’s Special Collections contains thousands of items related to the settling and development of the west, and it is one of the largest collections of primary source materials in the United States. So, it is only fitting that we host these fine displays on “Spike 150” and this extraordinary historic moment. After all, we have “All U Need” to learn more about “Spike 150.”
Come see us!
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