Carrying eighty-nine pivotal historical documents, the New York State Freedom Train was a traveling exhibit celebrating freedom of speech that visited towns and cities throughout New York from January 26, 1949 until February 1, 1950. The documents exhibited highlighted the suffrage, political, education, and labor movements. It included items such as George Washington's farewell address, Abraham Lincoln's preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, and even a portrait of Amelia Bloomer wearing her infamous pants. During the dedication ceremonies, Governor Thomas E. Dewey spoke about what the Freedom Train meant for all New Yorkers.

The Freedom Train symbolizes our unbreakable determination not only to keep our freedom but also to use it to make a better civilization, a civilization in which we go steadily forward to realize the ideals and aspirations inspired in us...

The New York State Freedom Train Commission was chaired by Gerald H. Salisbury, but the idea was partially conceived by Charles F. Gosnell, New York State Librarian and Assistant State Commissioner of Education, in an attempt to raise public awareness of New York State history and library use. The exhibit was so successful it later helped to establish the state's regional research library system.

1 Prom, Christopher J. "Charles Frances Gosnell (1909-1993)" Dictionary of American Library Biography (second supplement) edited by Donald G. Davis, Jr. Libraries Unlimited. 2003. p 110