The Union Pacific Railroad is America’s sweetheart. From a child’s first model train set to their wide-eyed witnessing of these mighty engines rolling across the prairie to adult collectors of photographs and memorabilia, nothing stirs our hearts like trains. As historian Maury Klein wrote, “Of the four major American rail systems today, the Union Pacific alone retains its original name and history. It remains a unique company that has left an indelible imprint on American history.” It’s also about the people who, to this day, carry this passion forward.
The funds raised during this Giving Day will be used to support the costs of processing and digitization collections or for public-facing projects promoting and sharing the railroad-related collection material housed at the American Heritage Center. You can visit the AHC’s current exhibits, “The West is Waiting: An Exploration of Railroad Advertising” and “Life Between the Rails: Highlights and Insights from an Oral History Project,” the latter of which showcases a recent large-scale oral history project conducted by the AHC with the support of the Union Pacific Foundation. These are just two exciting examples of how the AHC continues to bring railroad history to life for the public with the support of partners and donors. Both exhibits are open until March 2026.
Rail aficionados share an important passion and goal—to preserve and share our nation’s history. The American Heritage Center strives to be a reliable source of accurate and in-depth material and information about the American West and its vital railroad history. Thank you for considering supporting this important work!
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