On Thursday, Oct. 5, leaders from Utah and Kentucky launched the tour of a 43-foot-tall public art piece, the Golden Spike Monument. The piece began its Utah-bound journey from Ashland – The Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, Kentucky, and will celebrate the completion of its fall tour at the Utah State Capitol on Oct. 23 - before its permanent installation at the new Golden Spike Park in Brigham City, Utah, in summer 2024.
The piece was commissioned by the Golden Spike Foundation, a Utah-based nonprofit organization, to celebrate the building of the transcontinental railroad, which was completed in Utah on May 10, 1869. Similar in shape to the ceremonial gold spike used to mark the railroad's completion, the Monument celebrates the building of the railroad from the perspective of the workers, whose stories have largely been untold. Many of the laborers on the transcontinental railroad were immigrants attracted by steady employment. They undertook back-breaking work, made tremendous sacrifices, and used their ingenuity and collaborative endeavors to make the railroad a reality.
“It is exciting, and very humbling to try to harness the mysterious powers of fine art to tell this story more completely and with a wider lens than has maybe been done in the past,” said Douwe Blumberg, the artist behind Golden Spike Monument. “I have been primarily motivated by the opportunity to give “faces to the faceless” as this sculpture seeks to bring recognition and awareness to those thousands of workers whose history has largely been overlooked.”
Lexington, Kentucky, Mayor Linda Gorton and Brigham City, Utah, Mayor DJ Bott spoke about the impact of public art in their communities, both in stimulating learning and curiosity and in driving cultural tourism and community pride.
“Lexington is so proud to be the kick-off location for “Driving the Spike” cross-country to Utah,” said Mayor Gorton. “The rich history of the transcontinental railroad, and the story of workers who made it happen, are beautifully portrayed in this stunning piece of public art.”
“Utah is committed to telling the remarkable story of the transcontinental railroad workers through public art, education and support of the cultural legacies,” said Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams. “Transformational technological advancements are achieved through hard work and collaboration from people of all backgrounds.”
On the “Driving of the Spike” road tour, the 7,000-pound Golden Spike Monument art piece will be displayed at schools, historic railroad stations, and railroad museums across the county. The goal is to educate and inspire people to learn from the past, and honor the memory of the thousands of workers who built the transcontinental railroad. Each tour stop will include educational displays, artist discussions, and unique, venue-specific activities.
“I am proud to honor our local Kentucky artist Douwe Blumberg,” said Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman. “I am thrilled Kentucky is the first whistle stop on the Golden Spike Monument’s journey to Utah. This monument celebrates all the people who contributed to this technological marvel and connected our nation over 150 years ago.”
The October tour of the “Driving of the Spike” is as follows:
- Oct. 5: Kickoff Event – Ashland - The Henry Clay Estate, Lexington, KY
- Oct. 7: Whistle Stop – St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis, MO
- Oct. 8: Whistle Stop – Union Station Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
- Oct. 14: Whistle Stop – Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs, IA
- Oct. 15: Whistle Stop – Golden Spike Tower, North Platte, NE
- Oct. 17: Whistle Stop – Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, CO
- Oct. 21: Whistle Stop – Cheyenne Depot Museum, Cheyenne, WY
- Oct. 23: Whistle Stop – Community Art Center, Rock Springs, WY
- Oct. 23: Welcome and VIP Event – Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City, UT
- Oct. 24: Whistle Stop – Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City, UT
Next spring, the Monument will be on the road again, touring the transcontinental railroad’s route from the west, beginning in California, before it is permanently installed at the Golden Spike Park at Reeder Ranch in Brigham City, Utah.
More information about the Driving of the Spike is available at spike150.org/driving.
About Golden Spike Foundation: The Golden Spike Foundation (GSF) is a Utah-based non-profit committed to bringing to light the diverse people who worked side-by-side building the transcontinental railroad. In 2019, GSF partnered with local, state, and national organizations to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad. The organization has a track record of curating unique offerings that attract media attention and spark curiosity and interest in learning about the first transcontinental railroad in our nation and the diverse worker groups who came together to make it happen.
About Ashland – The Henry Clay Estate: The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation exists to promote the legacy of Henry Clay, to share his continued relevance locally and nationally as a great statesman, and to preserve his beloved “Ashland” as a testament to his life and his love of Kentucky and country. The Foundation is working to ensure Ashland remains a vibrant and progressive National Historic Landmark and community resource for future generations.
Watch drone footage of the golden spike.
Media Contacts:
Craig Cammack: (859) 258-3117
Renée Leta: (801) 913-6707
Cindy Gubler: (801) 971-5639
