Union Pacific Museum

Beth Lindquiest, Executive Director of the Union Pacific Museum was the guest at the August 21 Treynor Optimist Club meeting.  She started working there in October 2003, although her background is in Arena Management.  She previously managed several arenas, including the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

The Union Pacific owns the museum exhibits and has a 20 year lease on the building, which is on the historical register.  Union Pacific hired Beth, but the Friends of Union Pacific is responsible for marketing, advertising, and the exhibits.  The city of Council Bluffs is responsible for the grounds and building maintenance.  Union Pacific pays for the lights and heat.

The Union Pacific Railroad was created by an act of Congress in 1862.  It has one of the oldest corporate museum collections in the country. Since the first trans-continental railroad started in Council Bluffs, it is fitting that a museum be located here.

The museum has about 25,000 visitors each year.  There is no fee for visiting, but it relies on donations for operations.  People have visited from 43 countries.

The museum has 55 volunteers.  The outreach director is shared with the General Dodge house.

For more information about the museum, see uprrmuseum.org.  For the history of the Union Pacific Railroad and historical pictures, see up.com.