Disclaimer

The Dover Public Library website offers public access to a wide range of information, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain values, language or stereotypes that would now be deemed insensitive, inappropriate or factually inaccurate. However, these records reflect the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected and thus constitute an important social record.

The materials contained in the collection do not represent the opinions of the City of Dover, or the Dover Public Library.

The Freedom Train

Freedom Train

April 16, 1975
The Freedom Train stopped in Dover to tank up with 18,000 gallons of water. The American Freedom Train toured the 48 contiguous US states from April 1, 1975 through December 31, 1976 to commemorate the United States Bicentennial.  Inspired by the Freedom Train of the late 1940s, the vintage steam train featured 12 display cars carrying exhibits featuring historic Americana such as George Washington's copy of the Constitution, Judy Garland's dress from The Wizard of OZ, Thomas Edison’s first working lightbulb, a lunar rover, and John F. Kennedy’s rocking chair.

 Freedom Train

The fourth display stop on the tour was in Manchester, New Hampshire, where was open to visitors for two days before it departed for Portland, Maine.

Freedom Train

This historical essay is provided free to all readers as an educational service. It may not be reproduced on any website, list, bulletin board, or in print without the permission of the Dover Public Library. Links to the Dover Public Library homepage or a specific article's URL are permissible.