Community Impact at the Union Pacific Museum

The mission of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum is to share American History through the lens of the railroad; connecting generations who have been impacted by Union Pacific. One of the most impactful ways we keep our mission on track is by fostering and maintaining deep, diverse social connections in our local community. Our museum is honored to operate in an historic building owned and maintained by the city of Council Bluffs, and it is our goal to help contribute to a strong sense of community pride for all residents through our community involvement.  

When community members see concrete, meaningful actions and educational programming coming from local institutions like our museum, emotional and participatory engagement and civic and financial investment is much more likely to occur. The value added from these kinds of initiatives can also help maintain and even increase trust in credible historical institutions and help to expose residents to diverse opinions, a vitally important goal in the current climate.  

Current History on Track Working Goals 

  • Providing a stimulating, safe space for exploring history and engaging in community activities  
  • Highlighting the importance of diverse communities both historically and in our local community 
  • Providing events and opportunities that encourages continued education and engagement  
  • Increased collaboration with community partners and local groups
  • The museum has executed a number of social outreach initiatives and public events to engage with our community. 

History on Track Events & Initiatives  

  • Celebrate America Spectacular Fourth of July Event, 2026: community members were invited to celebrate the holiday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. by visiting the museum, viewing the Louisiana Purchase Proclamation exhibit, and experiencing a variety of multicultural performances, children’s crafts, and model train displays. This event was funded in part through a Community Impact Grant from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa to support event entertainment and cultural heritage performers so that attendees could experience a sense of belonging through music, dance, poetry and other performing arts.
  • Trick or Treat the Museum, 2017- Present: local families invited to dress up and explore their neighborhood museum with come trick-or-treat stations throughout the building 
  • Summer Saturday Children’s Programs, 2026: families invited to visit the museum and participate in educational, themed craft projects throughout the summer 
  • Railroad Days School Pass Partnerships, 2026: connecting with local school districts to provide increased access for students to attend Railroad Days events and learn about their local history 
  • Past partnership/MOU with the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County (HSPC), 2025: re-opened Rock Island Depot facility to the public and provided a framework of AASLH standard practices and policies for long term success. The UP Museum established connections for HSPC with community partners to provide a more cohesive, connected experience for those interested in exploring railroad history in Council Bluffs. This initiative was supported in part by a grant from the Iowa West Foundation.