The Library will be closed Sunday, April 5

The Library will be closed Sunday, April 5 in observance of Easter.

Group Tour: Besplattered With Blood: Death and Medicine on the Railroad

Program Type:

History/Genealogy

Age Group:

Adults
  • Registration is required for this event.
  • Registration will open on June 4, 2026 @ 9:00am.

Event Details

Working on a railroad in the 19th century was one of the most dangerous jobs around. Railroaders required so much medical attention that a whole subfield of surgery - railroad surgery - developed to treat them. Join us as we explore railroad history through the lens of medicine. 

  • Learn about the origins of railroad surgery and its role in 19th-century medicine
  • Hear period quotations and firsthand perspectives that bring the era to life
  • Gain insight into the dangers faced by railroad workers and historical medical responses

This program is offered in partnership with the Union Pacific Museum and the Council Bluffs Public Library. 

Registration is required for this tour. Plan to meet near the front doors of the Council Bluffs Public Library and go as a group to the UP Museum.