Gezicht op de Kuilenburgse spoorbrug bij Culemborg c. 1868 - 1885

Pieter Oosterhuis captured this stereo card image of the Kuilenburg railway bridge at Culemborg. The introduction of railways in the Netherlands during the 19th century was a watershed moment, reflecting the nation’s embrace of modernity and technological advancement. This photograph embodies that sentiment, showcasing the bridge not just as a feat of engineering but as a symbol of progress and connectivity. Yet, this progress came at a cost. The construction of such infrastructure projects often relied on labor forces drawn from the working class, whose contributions and sacrifices are seldom acknowledged in mainstream narratives of progress. As we consider the bridge's impact on trade and travel, we must also remember the stories of those who laid its foundations. Oosterhuis’s photograph serves as a reminder that progress is a multifaceted concept, one that demands a nuanced understanding of its social, economic, and human implications.