The Thomas viaduct, Liberty Enlightens the World, and some very delighted visitors. Photo by María Helena Carey
Admittedly, I am the kind of person who gets excited about things: toast, commercials, and removing the plastic backing off things. So I can understand if you would not believe me when I tell you that this year’s train display at the United States Botanic Garden is so dazzling, breath-taking, inspiring, moving and just AMAZING that it could be the balm to restore faith in this crazy country of ours. The display celebrates the National Park Service’s centennial and the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation act by placing Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, as well as many other G-gauge trains in a beautiful, plant-filled array of landmarks made in collaboration with Applied Imagination. You will have to go stand in line starting TODAY, Thanksgiving Day, starting at 10 a.m. and see if im exaggerating
What makes this year’s display so amazing? You may be surprised how joyful seeing some of the landmarks in the National Register of Historic Places will make you, for instance. Every landmark is picked by a committee, of course, but it is also nominated and lobbied for by the people of the state, partly based on its significance: Does it represent the history or values of the state where it’s located? Throughout the train display, you are witnessing a live history lesson, from the people of each state of the Union. What makes Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida, so special? I was moved to learn that the beautiful building that dominates downtown Miami and was once the headquarters of the Miami News, was converted into a refuge for the people of Cuba who were fleeing the oppressive regime of Fidel Castro in the 1950s. It was a symbol of hope for thousands of Latino people, who found an empathetic embrace in these United States.
Did you know the people of Nevada came together to declare that the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas was a worthy landmark to be preserved through the generations? The sign, designed by Betty Willis—whose work defined the look of the Strip in the 1950s, when the gaming industry started to boom— is a gaudy, shiny ambassador of a city that started off as a pit stop between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
One of my favorite displays was a tiny but mighty one from the state of Maryland: Fort McHenry National Monument. Find it, pause, and find out what it means to you. Just don’t get trampled because it’s probably going to be standing room only when you visit.
Spend some time exploring the landmarks and their history both in person and online, by going to http://www.usbg.gov/exhibits .