Union Pacific Museum to feature Louisiana Purchase Proclamation as new exhibit opens

The Union Pacific Museum will feature the Louisiana Purchase Proclamation on loan through the end of July. It's part of the partial opening of a new exhibit and coincides with Railroad Days in Council Bluffs this weekend.

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The Union Pacific Museum in Council Bluffs is unveiling phase one of its “The Nation Before the Railroad” exhibit this weekend, coinciding with Railroad Days. The exhibit showcases an 1853 volume from the first Pacific Railroad surveys that named Council Bluffs as “mile zero,” an 1801 Thomas Jefferson peace medal, and an 1806 map of North America. The highlight of the exhibit is on loan through the end of July: The Louisiana Purchase Proclamation. Delivered to a newspaper in 1803, the document announced the major acquisition of land from France. A private donor made the loan of the proclamation possible. “We thought, well, that’s serendipitous,” said Isabelle Kaeding, the museum’s hospitality and communications manager. “What better document to showcase on the 250th anniversary?”On the Fourth of July only, the museum will display the final page of the document, featuring then-President Thomas Jefferson’s signature.The museum hopes to open the full “The Nation Before the Railroad” exhibit within the next year or two. Admission to the museum is free.The opening coincides with Railroad Days in Council Bluffs this weekend, May 9-10. A Railroad Days pass costs $20 for two adults and unlimited children. It also provides access to the Hoff Center, RailsWest Museum, Dodge House, and 100 Block, with transportation between them via trolley. More information is here.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

The Union Pacific Museum in Council Bluffs is unveiling phase one of its “The Nation Before the Railroad” exhibit this weekend, coinciding with Railroad Days.

The exhibit showcases an 1853 volume from the first Pacific Railroad surveys that named Council Bluffs as “mile zero,” an 1801 Thomas Jefferson peace medal, and an 1806 map of North America.

The highlight of the exhibit is on loan through the end of July: The Louisiana Purchase Proclamation. Delivered to a newspaper in 1803, the document announced the major acquisition of land from France. A private donor made the loan of the proclamation possible.

“We thought, well, that’s serendipitous,” said Isabelle Kaeding, the museum’s hospitality and communications manager. “What better document to showcase on the 250th anniversary?”

On the Fourth of July only, the museum will display the final page of the document, featuring then-President Thomas Jefferson’s signature.

The museum hopes to open the full “The Nation Before the Railroad” exhibit within the next year or two.

Admission to the museum is free.

The opening coincides with Railroad Days in Council Bluffs this weekend, May 9-10. A Railroad Days pass costs $20 for two adults and unlimited children. It also provides access to the Hoff Center, RailsWest Museum, Dodge House, and 100 Block, with transportation between them via trolley. More information is here.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.