We have finally received a definitive answer from the Cantor Arts Center concerning the Golden Spike and related artifacts.  Director Veronica Roberts sent me a very thoughtful and kind email congratulating us on the campaign, commending our 4th graders (now sixth graders) for their passion and enthusiasm.  She explained that they have had a policy in place since 1983 to not lend out the Spike and related artifacts due to their extraordinary value, use in teaching at Stanford University, and the fact that they are a cornerstone of the Cantor collection.  One might have an initial reaction of wondering why they didn’t just tell us that in the first place, but I believe we didn’t get an answer until now because they were respectful enough to give it the thought and time it deserved, and to make sure they were making the right decision, as well as to explore what other options might be available, including any potential loans to the Museum of Utah.

 

On that note, Stanford University also owns a special commemorative replica of the Golden Spike, which has been on loan to the U.S. Capitol, which they will be recalling to lend to the Museum of Utah when it opens.  So, while this is not the exact outcome we hoped for, this is still great news!  I am excited not only for this to happen, but also extremely contented with all the work we did, all we learned, and, probably most of all, about all the support this campaign and my classroom received from all of you from the beginning.  I sincerely thank you for that, and will never forget it.

 

On a side note, Director Roberts did share that they have revisited their approach to labeling items in the museum.  I’ll count that as a victory as well!

Help Bring the Golden Spike Home!

***Spikes2Utah has again been featured nationally, this time in Scholastic News for Kids, with over 2 million student readers in classrooms across the country!  See the November 6, 2023 issue!***


Thank you so much to all those who wrote and submitted letters for Spikes2Utah!  In all, we received 1,098 letters, and they weren't only from Utah!  We received letters from New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Illinois, Colorado, California, Idaho, Washington, and several more states!  We sent all your letters to Stanford in early June, and received word back that they have the letters and are "looking into the possibilities."  We are very hopeful!

Watch Our Campaign Video!

Major Announcement and Update!

NBC's Nightly News: Kids Edition featured our campaign!

Granite School District's Mini Documentary on Spikes2Utah

Spikes2Utah:  What is this all about?

In 1869, the transcontinental railroad  was completed at Promontory Summit in northern Utah.   Four spikes were used in the ceremony that celebrated the "Wedding of the Rails," including the famous "Golden Spike," or "Last Spike."  People could now travel across the country in a few days instead of over several weeks!  This is a proud part of Utah history.  Where are those four spikes now?  It might surprise you to learn that none of the four spikes or the hammer used in that 1869 ceremony are in Utah!

After the ceremony, the Silver Spike and the maul (hammer) used to tap in the spikes were presented to Leland Stanford, owner of the Central Pacific Railroad.  Some time later, David Hewes, a friend of Leland Stanford who had the Golden Spike made, donated it to the Stanford University Museum in Palo Alto, California, where all three objects remain to this day.  Learn more here!

Submit Your Letter Here!

We invite students of all ages and the general public to join us in this campaign to bring the spikes back to Utah!  You can write your letter by hand and send it to us at Neil Armstrong Academy, Attn:  Spikes2Utah, 5194 Highbury Parkway, West Valley City, Utah, 84120, or you can click the button below and submit a digital letter.  It will go straight to us!  Either way, we will send all the letters to the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University on Friday, May 26, 2023.  Make sure to submit your letter before then!

Update:  While our active public campaign is over, we are still waiting to hear back from the Cantor Arts Center for their decision regarding the Golden Spike, Silver Spike, and silver maul.  Check back here often to see an announcement as soon as we get their decision!

Classroom teachers:  We still receive class sets of letters from all over the country, even though the public campaign is over!  If you have had your class write persuasive letters about returning the Golden Spike to Utah, we would love to receive them to add to our archives, or you can still send them directly to the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University!

The Spikes2Utah Campaign - A Student-Led Campaign to Bring the Spikes Home

Every aspect of this campaign has been brainstormed, workshopped, and designed by us (the students!).  We are a 4th grade class at a public school in Utah, and we are doing this because we strongly believe the Golden Spike belongs here!  The transcontinental railroad was completed here in Utah, and that was a very important event in Utah's history.  It helped make Utah "The Crossroads of the West"!  We want students in Utah to be able to see the spike as they learn about it.  We want the public to be able to come see this important artifact and learn about its rich history.  If our campaign is successful, the Golden Spike, Nevada Silver Spike, and the Silver Maul will be housed in the new Utah Museum, which is currently under construction, and will be dedicated to honoring Utah's history and heritage.

Where you belong, they belong!

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Special Thanks

While this campaign has been designed and implemented by students, we have received a bunch of help along the way!  We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the following people and organizations who have helped us in tremendous ways to bring this campaign to life!