A railroad was not in sight, but the significance of a ceremony Thursday at Ashland-The Henry Clay Estate shone brightly. It was depicted through a 43-foot-tall public art piece.
The Golden Spike Monument sat horizontally on a truck bed at Ashland while officials from Lexington and Utah told the story. Henry Clay’s home served as the launch site for a cross-country trip to Utah. The piece of art was commissioned to celebrate the building of the transcontinental railroad completed in 1869. Kentucky Artist Douwe Blumberg headed up the project.
“To create something that will recognize or bring honor to people that maybe have been forgotten by time and to be a part of, a small part of continuing the story,” said Blumberg.
Vice Mayor Dan Wu participated in the ceremony, saying he got very emotional upon viewing the large piece of art in person.
“I’m here as your vice mayor but I’m also here as this 12 year old kid in junior high in a history class first reading about the building of the transcontinental railroad and I think there was one line that mentioned there were Chinese laborers on this project,” said Wu.
Wu says, as a child, he read in a book that Chinese workers comprised 90% of the effort from the Pacific side of railroad construction.
Ashland Curator Eric Brooks said Henry Clay saw value in various forms of transportation, even though rail was just getting started in his time.
“The connection I think would be that Henry Clay was deeply concerned with advancing national unity. Of coming up with ways to bind the nation together and the economy was principal among them…internal improvements..roads, bridges, waterways were a big part of that,” said Brooks.
The 7,000 pound Golden Spike art piece will be displayed at sites across the country over the next few weeks. A permanent installation will be held at the new Golden Spike Park in Brigham City Utah next summer.
Here's an interview with Kentucky Artist Douwe Blumberg:
Lexington Vice Mayor Dan Wu
