Decorative Panel from Rail Car Interior c. 1936

This decorative panel from a rail car interior was designed by Wellington Blewett. Blewett was a painter at the Barney and Smith Car Company, which, during the late nineteenth century, manufactured railway cars. This panel represents more than just decoration; it symbolizes a pivotal moment in the history of American infrastructure, mobility, and social change. Think about who had access to rail travel at this time and who didn't. The design incorporates classical motifs, a common feature in rail car interiors. The repeating pattern of leaves and berries suggests a sense of refined elegance. This was a deliberate attempt to create an environment of comfort and sophistication for passengers, many of whom would have been upper and middle class. Consider how designs like this reinforced social hierarchies and shaped the travel experience along lines of race, class, and gender. The aesthetics of these spaces were carefully curated to reflect and uphold particular societal values and norms.