Artefacts Displayed Along Planned East West Rail Route

Several historical and archaeological exhibits related to transportation and local history are currently on display or planned across the United States. The East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania, a narrow gauge line built in 1872 and now a heritage railroad, is recognized as the oldest narrow-gauge railroad in the U.S. In the UK, artefacts discovered along the future East West Rail route connecting Oxford and Cambridge are being exhibited in pop-up museums, offering insights into life over 2,000 years ago. In Illinois, the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site hosts the "Journey to Freedom" exhibit, highlighting the stories of slaves and abolitionists active before the Civil War and their roles in the Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, in Grain Valley, Missouri, the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit "Voices and Votes" explores the history of transportation development, including the significance of R.D. Mize Road, an early state-funded route connecting eastern Jackson County communities. These exhibits collectively emphasize the enduring impact of transportation infrastructure and historical narratives on regional and national identity.