Overview of the New York State Freedom Train

NEW YORK STATE'S FREEDOM TRAIN
Described by DR. CHARLES FRANCIS' GOSNELL
NEW YORK STATE LIBRARIAN AND
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

The New York State Freedom Train originated in the great rotunda of the New York State Library, in November 1947, when the National Freedom Train stopped in Albany. The National Train was scheduled for a stop of only one day, and many were unable to see it. For those who did get on, there was very little about their home state. So Edna L. Jacobsen, associate librarian and head
of the Manuscripts and History Section of the State Library, assembled an exhibition of books and documents with two objectives: to duplicate where possible the items on the train, and to tell the full story of New York State's contribution to the growth of freedom.

The exhibit proved so popular that The Knickerbocker News of Albany ran a series of ten articles on it. Then Gerald H. Salisbury, editor of The Knickerbocker News, proposed that the exhibit be put on wheels to be sent all through the State. The New York Society of Newspaper Editors and the State Publishers Association gave their support to the proposal. The State Legislature passed a bill to create a commission and appropriate $50,000 toward expenses of the setting-up of the train. Governor Dewey was enthusiastic in support of the project and appointed members to the Commission, including Mr. Salisbury as chairman, and the State Librarian, Dr. Charles Francis
Gosnell, as Secretary.

Officials of the New York Central were cordially cooperative, and work on the cars was begun in September 1948. Plans were developed by members of the commission with the aid of Stanley G. Somers and Arthur Kimberly, who had helped on the National Train the year before, and Herman
F. Robinton, administrative assistant to the State Librarian.

Working drawings and all shopwork were completed in the New York Central shops at Albany. Lucite plastic cases for the documents were made by Victor S. Clark of Flushing.

The role of New York State in the historic evolution of American freedom has been an active one. The Colony of New Netherland, and later New York, was the focal point for many of the struggles for freedom in colonial days. As a state, New York has usually been in the vanguard of reform. In its archives, in the New York State Library at AIbany, the State has a great treasure of original manuscripts which serve as milestones marking the road to freedom.

The exhibits are grouped with documents on Freedom of Expression in Car I, those on Liberty under Law in Car 2, and those on Freedom of Self-Development in Car 3.

There are 84 documents in all, of which ten were borrowed from private sources or local institutions.

The earliest documents come from the official archives of the Dutch governors of New Netherland. One of the strongest testimonies to the desire for religious freedom came to
Governor Peter Stuyvesant from Flushing, Long Island, in 1657. The Flushing Remonstrance was the answer to an official ban on Quakers. Despite threats of imprisonment and banishment, 26 freeholders of the Town of Flushing defiantly signed the Remonstrance, protesting the injustice inflicted on the Quakers.

Following the advent of the British representatives of the Duke of York, later King James II, the colonists won the Duke's Laws of 1665, and the Charter of Libertyes and Priviledges of 1683. This charter was notable for providing a representative assembly whose consent. was necessary for
the imposition of new taxes.

Freedom of the Press is well illustrated by copies of the New York Weekly Journal of 1734 and the complaint of his attorneys, from the press of John Peter Zenger. His actual arrest "for printing seditious libells" is illustrated by the manuscript minutes of the New York Executive Council.

The evolution of constitutional government is shown by a series beginning with the first New York State Constitution, written hurriedly at Kingston in 1777 by a harried band of patriots. It is followed by the Minutes of the Poughkeepsie Convention of 1788 called to consider the new Federal Constitution. After lengthy and bitter debate New York State ratified the Federal Constitution by a vote of 31 to 29, insisting on a number of amendments which were later included in the Bill of Rights, and one long-forgot, a "no third term for president." Many reforms were embodied in the
Constitution of 1846, which soon became a model for many western states.

New York State leadership in abolishing racial discrimination is documented beginning with the abolition of Indian slavery in 1679, Negro slavery in 1799, up to the antidiscrimination laws of 1945 and 1948. Also included is the original manuscript by Abraham Lincpln of the Emancipation Proclamation of September 22, 1862, which the State Library acquired in 1865.

The story of labor extends from accounts of union activities in 1675 down to the unemployment insurance law of 1935.

Included in the series on women's rights are manuscripts in the handwriting of Amelia Bloomer, Susan B. Anthony and Mary E. Walker. The importance of mobility in the development of the State is indicated by references to the Erie Canal, the beginnings of the New York Central Railroad
and the westward movement of immigrants.

Inspiration to constructive patriotism is furnished by the manuscript of George Washington's Farewell Address acquired by the State Library in 1871, accounts of the battles of Saratoga and Plattsburg, the papers found in the boots of the spy Major Andre and the original draft by Francis Bellamy of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Opportunity for self-development and the building of an enlightened citizenry through education have been primary concerns in New York State from colonial days down to the present. Nine documents in the New York State Freedom Train point milestones in the history of education in the State and emphasize the great importance attached to the concept of education for all.

The Train consisted of six cars prepared especially by the New York Central Railroad in its Albany car shops. Three electrically air-conditioned New York Central passenger cars were remodeled to contain the exhibit cases. All windows were covered with steel plates inside and out, and an automatic carbon-dioxide fire-extinguishing system and burglar alarm were installed. The steel exhibition cases were arranged to facilitate movement through the cars and also to permit lecturers. or teachers to conduct large groups and direct their attention to groups of documents. The cases were provided with shatter-proof glass and fluorescent lighting, and were located on alternate sides of the cars so that a visitor passing through would not have to look at both sides at
once. Inside the cases each book or document was inclosed in its own tight plastic case, together with a descriptive label.

A fourth car served as office and passenger car for personnel. A fifth car, lent by the Pennsylvania Railroad, was a combination baggage and passenger car for baggage and railroad personnel. Electric power for operating the lighting, air-conditioning and other appliances was supplied by a
power car containing a new installation of Diesel-electric generators.

The six cars were painted bright blue and gold-the official New York State colors - and carry bronze castings of the New York State seal on each side. The letter-board bears the words "New York State Freedom Train" in bold gold letters.

The train was formerly put into commission at Albany by Governor Thomas E. Dewey on January 26, 1949 and ran to capacity crowds all through the year, stopping in every city, and stopping long enough for all to see their State's most precious possessions.

Excerpt from, "Official Document Book New York State Freedom Train," Distributed by The New York State Library, Albany, New York, 1950.