>As the new Curator for the Historical Society of Washington, DC (it is so
>nice to be employed again!), I am working on an exhibit about the
>daguerreotypist, John Plumbe Jr. Because Mr. Plumbe was an advocate for the
>transcontinental railroad, the moment when the rairoad was completed is an
>integral part of his story. I would like to borrow a painting or other work
>of art which depicts this occasion.

Adrienne, you have two possible sources

The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento (916/445-7387) or the
Union Pacific Historical Museum in Omaha, NE (402/271-3530).

Both have excellent RR collections, and should be able to track down an
illustration.  The CSRRM has an excellent collection of Central Pacific
materials.  The famous large painting showing the Golden Spike ceremony is
in their collection.  The Union Pacific's museum, the other half of the
first Transcontinental RR, has an excellent archive as well.  Between them
you ought to find lits of possibilities.  The Union Pacific museum is owned
and operated by the railroad.

I believe the photographs of A. J. Russell, who photodocumented the
ceremony, are owned by an outfit called Culver Pictures, but that may have
changed.

You have another resource right in your own backyard.  Bill Withuhn,
Curator of Transportation at the NMAH, Smithsonian, is a railroad
authority.  Say hi for me.

Good luck
HBC

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Henry B. Crawford        Curator of History
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