Building of the Transcontinental Railroad : Uniting a Country (Free Program)
Durham Museum
Mike Irwin
mirwin@durhammuseum.org
801 South 10st.
Omaha, NE 68108
United States
Phone: (402) 444-5027
Education: Grade(s): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
One day, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln sitting at his desk in the White House in Washington DC , signed a document that fixed the eastern terminus of the proposed rail route at Omaha, Nebraska Territory. Within a short time dirt was flying in Nebraska and California.
Thousands of workers, large numbers of teams, many supply trains, and vast quantities of equipment and supplies were employed in caring this stupendous project forward. Each month the gap between the two construction forces became shorter, and finally , on May 10 1869, after six years of strenuous effort, the rails were joined at Promontory, on the Utah desert.
This endeavor was the 1800's equivalent to the United States putting a man on the moon 100 years later.
This session is loaded with original documents, photos and artifacts from the Union Pacific Museum to provide your students with historical accurate “primary” information. Each teacher will receive a packet of resources and activities to use to prepare students for the connection as well as provide you with “follow-up” support material to help you to continue to explore the building of the Transcontinental Railroad as well as Westward Expansion.
45 Minutes
This program is available by request ONLY