The Smithsonian, the nation’s largest museum in Washington, will design a mural of the Salisbury train depot as part of its new transportation display.

Bill Withuhn, the Smithsonian’s curator of transportation items, said the rendering will provide a backdrop for Southern Railway Engine No. 1401, a historic engine that passed through Salisbury and the old Spencer Shops. No. 1401 is now located in the Smithsonian.

“There’s no question that the Salisbury Station is such a pivotal historic structure to this city, and I find that people from out of town, that’s the first thing they want to see when they come,” Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz said this morning. “We’re so proud of it and the people who contributed to restore it. I’m thrilled to hear we’ll be getting national attention.”

Built in 1908 in the Spanish Mission architectural style of Frank P. Milburn, the Salisbury Station once served as a gateway to Western North Carolina. It fell into disrepair with the popularity of the automobile and remained vacant for many years.

When the Historic Salisbury Foundation bought the property in 1984, residents and businesses gave more than $3 million for a three-phase restoration.

Today it serves as more than a historic landmark. It serves as an Amtrak station and office and meeting space. Its original mosaic tile floor and 40-foot cathedral ceilings draw wedding receptions and other galas.

The Smithsonian is designing a new area on transportation in its American History Museum, Withuhn said. The museum is now searching for images of the depot from the 1920s for its designers to copy. It has not decided whether to use a photograph, paint or other medium for the mural.

“It’s going to be a neat thing,” said Diane Dillon Hooper, director of the Salisbury Historic Foundation. “We’re really looking forward to it.”

Anyone with old photographs of the depot may contact Withuhn at 202-357-1919.