Reinterpretation/Recontextualization Framework. Explore definitions here.
Introduction
The mood at Promontory Summit was festive. Hundreds of visitors surrounded the park workers, volunteers, and descendants dressed in their finest period costumes who had come to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Speeches and reenactments brought the original festivities to life. The presence of politicians, labor leaders, and historians underscored the importance of the event to our nation’s history.
Brandon Flint, superintendent of Golden Spike National Historical Park and the day’s emcee, hailed the event as a celebration of people who dreamed big (C. Moore, Observation, May 7, 2022). The engineering feat that had made it possible for cities and towns to pop up across the west had been expected to take 14 years. In fact, railroad workers managed to complete the project in half that time.
The workforce that built the Transcontinental Railroad was made up largely of Irish immigrants working from the East and Chinese immigrants working from the West. As construction progressed, Indigenous nations like the Shoshone were displaced from their lands.
Section 1: Background
The Chinese laborers worked on the most challenging portion of the railroad, having to create passage through the Sierra Mountains with the use of dynamite. In this unforgiving terrain, many who perished during the arduous tasks would never be interred to a final resting place or their remains would have to be retrieved at a later date. Ryan Deringer, a noted scholar of the Transcontinental Railroad, further underscores the dangerous terrain that they navigated:
When the winter of 1866–1867 turned harsh, work in the Sierras was dreadful. The snow fell so heavily into the freshly graded cuts that it became nearly impossible to dig out. Tunnels were excavated in blizzard-like conditions, as the mountains were covered with as much as thirty feet of snow. Among them, the most daunting was tunnel “Number 6” (Summit Tunnel), which, at a length of 1,659 feet, was the longest on the line, running parallel to the infamous Donner Pass. The tunnel took thirteen months to build and demanded unthinkable energy and perseverance. J. O. Wilder, a surveyor’s assistant working near Cisco, noted immediately upon his employment with the Central Pacific that the tunnel-bound Chinese were superior workers, even when compared to the railroads’ Irish and native-born men. As Wilder stated, “The Chinese were as steady, hard-working [a] set of men as could be found. With the exception of a few whites at the west end of Tunnel No. 6, the laboring force was entirely composed of Chinamen with white foremen (Deringer, 2019).
In addition to the dangerous working conditions, the workers had to face prevailing racist ideologies. Such ideologies can be seen in a statement from Ohio Representative William Mungen where he refers to Chinese laborers as a “poor, miserable dwarfish race of inferior
beings who were docile effeminate, pedantic and cowardly” (ibid.). Despite these attitudes, the Chinese workforce gained respect for their work during the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Work and the promise of opportunity define the immigrant experience in the US. Yet just thirteen years after completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This policy barred immigration from China and prevented Chinese immigrants already in the US from becoming citizens. The policy did not apply to immigrant groups from other parts of the world.
For students of US history, the “Champagne Photo” is the iconic representation of westward expansion. However, absent from the photo are the Chinese laborers who made up most of the workforce. Through the lens of the Chinese American experience, this case study will explore remembrance and the creation of monuments that reinterpret existing monuments.
Section 2: Golden Spike National Historical Park
Promontory Summit is where the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad met. The site was privately owned until 1953, when the land was transferred to the National Park Service. Journalist Bernice Gibbs Anderson played an important role in creating a park, known today as Golden Spike National Historical Park, to commemorate the laborers who constructed the railroad. The landscape remained essentially unchanged for over 100 years since 1869.
There are three monuments that commemorate the construction of the railroad. The first monument, erected circa 1916, is a white cement pyramid stele that rests upon a white cement base. The monument marks the location of the spike that signified the completion of the railroad.
The second monument was erected in 1969 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Promontory Summit ceremony. Affixed to the granite stele are three bronze panels commemorating the 1869 celebration, honoring the Chinese laborers who constructed the railroad, and declaring the site a National Engineering Landmark.
The third monument, Monument to Their Memory, was installed in 2022. The monument, designed by artist Ilan Averbuch, is a 24 foot tall structure that features sixteen granite railroad ties, and two parallel iron rails. The new monument was designed to honor the Transcontinental Railroad workers of all nationalities, ethnicities, races, and religions (National Park Service, 2021).
Section 3: Monuments and Historical Omissions
How does omission allow false narratives to persist? And how can historical omission oppress members of marginalized groups?
Historically, interpretation of the Transcontinental Railroad focused on engineering feats and the wealthy business executives of the California Pacific Railroad: Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker. Noted historian Gordon Chang writes:
The given historical interpretation of the true construction and completion of the transcontinental line is immensely deficient and one-sided in several ways. It is traditionally told as a story of national triumph and achievement, and as the culmination of “manifest destiny,” the ordained linking of the two coasts of North America and the physical connection of the nation…. The contributions of the Chinese railroad workers are noted, but not fully appreciated, or omitted entirely (Chang and Fishkin, 2016).
When the story of the railroad workers was told, it focused on immigrant labor but failed to mention the Chinese labor force. The Chinese laborers’ contributions to the development of the railroad were routinely ignored. This exclusion was codified in the iconic “Champagne Photo.”
Historian and journalist Iris Chang (2023) writes:
The established white elite and the white working class in the United States have viewed the Chinese as perpetual foreigners, a people to be expelled whenever convenient to do one or the other. During an economic depression in the nineteenth century, white laborers killed Chinese competitors and lobbied politicians to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act. Later, in the twentieth century, the United States recruited Chinese scientists and engineers to strengthen American defense during the Cold War, only to harbor suspicions later that some Chinese might be passing nuclear secrets to the PRC (People’s Republic of China).
The contributions of the Chinese railroad workers were slighted again during the 100th anniversary celebration at Promontory Summit in 1969. The official program of events focused on Utah’s Mormon history and included an appearance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, remarks from the Utah Travel Council, and remarks from members of the Golden Spike Centennial Celebration Commission and special guests. Contemporary accounts had acknowledged the work of Chinese and Irish laborers in building the railroad (AASLH, 1969). Therefore, after persistent efforts to be included in the program, the chairman of the Chinese Historical Society, Phillip Choy, had been invited to speak briefly and to present a plaque that would become a permanent feature of Golden Spike National Park. However, at the last minute, he was not allowed to make remarks (CBS Sunday Morning, 2019). A 1969 publication from the Chinese Historical Society documented the erasure of the Chinese railroad workers in a statement made by John Volpe, former Secretary of Transportation. During a speech, Volpe stated, “Who else but Americans could chisel through miles of solid granite?” (Chinese Historical Society, 1969).
The omission of the historical contributions of a certain group can cause members of that group to feel alienated from the narrative of their country. Helen Zia, who explores Chinese American identity in the United States, writes in her seminal book Asian American Dreams (1990):
What we’ve been wanting to know is how to become accepted as Americans. For if baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet were enough for us to gain acceptance as Americans, then there would be no periodic refrain about alien Asian spies, no persistent bewilderment toward us as ‘strange’ and exotic characters, no cries of foul play by Asian Americans and no need for this book.
Ze Min Xiao, board member of the Utah Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Asian Pacific Advocates, further states:
Being a first generation immigrant and having an accent, you often hear, “You’re taking advantage of the infrastructure that’s built by others who came before you,” assuming, of course, that the others are not really our ancestors (Lo Wang, 2014).
The failure to acknowledge historical contributions creates a persistent state of “othering”—a sense that the American story is not one’s own. The first recorded Chinese immigration to the US occurred in 1785, as reported in The Maryland Journal (National Archives, n.d.a). During the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s, a major wave of Chinese immigration to the United States took place (Chang, 2003). Furthermore, a soldier of Chinese descent is known to have fought for the Union during the American Civil War. Despite these documented events, Asian Americans are presumed to be from foreigners no matter how many generations they may have been in the US (Hwang, 2021).
Conversations with visitors to the park in 2022 bear this out. One woman did not know of the Chinese railroad workers and thought that Chinese people were present because the “Chinese need to be a part of everything” (C. Moore, Observation, May 7, 2022).
This case study will discuss two collaborative efforts in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Sacramento, California, to tell the true story of Chinese Americans’ contributions to the Transcontinental Railroad.
Section 4: Efforts to Establish Memorials in Salt Lake City, Utah
Margaret Yee grew up during the 1950s and 1960s with stories about her great grandfathers who worked on the Transcontinental Railroad—Wong, who worked as a chef, and Ahn Jin-in, a construction laborer. Yee noted others were provided with room and board, while Chinese workers received only $26 per month with no room or board. Understanding their sacrifice and the sacrifice of other workers, she wanted to make sure their stories were not forgotten.
The approaching 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad was the impetus to create the Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association (CRWDA). Determined not to have a repeat of the programmatic insult of 1969, Yee co-founded the CRWDA in 2017 to bring the railroad workers’ stories to the foreground. The CRWDA’s core mission is to preserve, promote, and protect the contributions made by the Chinese railroad workers in the US (CRWDA, n.d.). The organization also advocates for issues that affect the Chinese American community.
Yee is currently chairwoman of the CRWDA. For many years she owned and operated the Jade Café, the oldest Chinese restaurant in continuous operation in Utah. She has also served as the governor’s advisor on Asian affairs.
Collaborations with government entities and historical societies were essential in helping to gain official recognition of the Chinese railroad workers. Every year since the Golden Spike 150, a commemorative event that celebrates the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, there has been a reflection event at the Utah State Capitol. The 2022 event was held in tandem with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Library in Washington, D.C., and honored the memory of Corky Lee, a prolific photographer of the Asian experience in the United States. It was Lee who recaptured the “Champagne Photo,” which he titled Photographic Justice (C. Moore, Observation, May 2022).
In recent decades, however, there has been increasing interest in the stories of ordinary people that foreground marginalized communities. The CRWDA recently erected a memorial to the Chinese railroad workers at the Utah State Capitol (CRWDA, n.d.). The monument, which features six panels of granite, sandstone, bronze, corten steel, and stainless steel, was made to pay homage to the tools that the workers used to construct the railroad and to represent the terrain of the construction route. The number six is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture.
The effort to honor the Chinese railroad workers also brought attention to other groups. In June 2022, the National Park Service unveiled a work entitled Monument to Their Memory, which honors the workers who built the railroad.
The Golden Spike Foundation is another Utah-based nonprofit dedicated to telling the stories of the diverse people who built the railroad. The foundation’s main initiative, Spike 150, helped to convene celebrants for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad.
The organization also commissioned artist Douwe Blumberg, whose works include monuments to military veterans and emergency workers in cities such as Las Vegas and New York City, to create the Golden Spike Monument. The monument will be placed in Golden Spike Park at the Reeder Ranch in 2024. The 43 foot monument is a gold leaf spike inlaid with visual representations of the various people who built the Transcontinental Railroad.
Section 5: California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento, California
The effort to recognize the contributions of Chinese railroad workers also unfolded nearly 684 miles away in California. The Gold Run Rest Area in Colfax, California, marks the site where the eastward work of the Transcontinental Railroad began in 1865. The site currently bears a plaque honoring the railroad workers. The approach of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad prompted an effort to foreground the contributions of the railroad workers in particular. Susan Lee, the executive director of the Chinese Historical Society, argued, “Frankly, a plaque at a rest stop near Sacramento is not enough” (NBC, 2016).
The Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial Project began to take shape in 2014, spearheaded by San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneur Steven Lee. Transparency and community outreach were hallmarks of the project from the beginning.
Community engagement sessions during Colfax’s Railroad Days in September 2014 provided a platform for the community to learn about the railroad workers’ contributions and the proposed memorial plans. One participant was overheard explaining to a young child that “the Chinese help [sic] build the Transcontinental Railroad system but really were not acknowledge[d]” (Colfax Railroad Museum, 2016).
The selection process for the artist was also inclusive, with invitations sent to 5,000 sculptors worldwide in September 2015. Out of eighteen proposals, the public had the opportunity to vote for their favorite artist online and in person during a two-week period in 2016. More than 580 community members voted for the artwork they felt best captured, as Steven Lee explained it, the essence of the Chinese railroad workers’ story. That choice was a sculpture by Chinese artist Xuejun Wang (S. Lee, personal communication, March 2, 2022).
Construction of the monument was proceeding smoothly when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented unforeseen challenges. Concerns about potential vandalism, exacerbated by anti-Asian hate rhetoric, prompted a decision to relocate the statue to the Railroad Museum in Sacramento. The move underscored a steadfast commitment to preserving cultural heritage even in the face of opposition—more specifically, a commitment to honoring the Chinese railroad workers for generations to come.
The decision to place the statue in the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento was significant in several ways:
- By placing the statue from its originally intended location to a more prominent and secure setting, stakeholders were affirming the importance of preserving and amplifying the stories of marginalized communities who have helped shape American history.
- The placement reflected a broader recognition of the need to confront and address issues of racism and discrimination, particularly given the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents. By acknowledging the risks of vandalism and hate speech directed at the monument, stakeholders were taking proactive steps to protect and safeguard the cultural heritage of Chinese Americans.
- The decision to locate the statue in the California State Railroad Museum has also served as a catalyst for further dialogue and education about the contributions of Chinese railroad workers. Visitors to the museum can engage with interpretive materials, exhibits, and educational programs that provide deeper insights into the history and legacy of the Chinese railroad workers.
By situating the Chinese railroad workers monument in a museum and engaging the public in dialogue and education, stakeholders are not only preserving cultural heritage but also advancing social justice and equity in commemorative practices.
Section 6: Framework – Reinterpretation and Monument of Upliftment
This case study is not about monuments of oppression or controversial monuments. Both examples showcased here are existing monuments that honor the Chinese railroad workers, albeit in small and easily overlooked ways within the broader narrative of the railroad. Against the backdrop of the centennial celebration of 1969 and the rise of anti-Asian hate, there emerged a compelling need for a more substantial gesture: one that would not only highlight forgotten stories but also assert the rightful belonging of a marginalized community. Though it is not immediately apparent, this case study aligns with the Monuments Toolkit’s Reinterpretation Framework. The Toolkit defines reinterpretation as the act of transforming the significance of a monument, whether or not it remains in its original location. Examples include adding interpretive materials that provide additional insight into the monument’s context and meaning.
Seen within the Toolkit framework, the creation of a new monument and associated engagement activities served as acts of reinterpretation, tempering and augmenting the meaning of the original monuments. By erecting a new statue and organizing community engagement sessions, stakeholders effectively recontextualized the existing monuments, elevating the narrative of the Chinese Railroad Workers to a more prominent position within the historical landscape.
This process of reinterpretation not only acknowledges the contributions of marginalized groups but also challenges existing narratives that may have downplayed or ignored their significance. By amplifying these undertold stories, the reinterpretation framework aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable representation of history—one that reflects the diverse experiences and contributions of all communities involved.
Moreover, the act of reinterpretation extends beyond the physical realm of monuments to encompass broader societal attitudes and perceptions. By engaging with the public and promoting dialogue around these historical narratives, stakeholders contribute to a deeper understanding of the past and its implications for the present.
The Reinterpretation Framework is a powerful tool for reclaiming marginalized histories, challenging dominant narratives, and fostering a more inclusive commemorative landscape. Through thoughtful engagement and strategic interventions, monuments can become catalysts for social change, prompting critical reflection and inspiring collective action toward a more just and equitable future.
References
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