Mississippi's "Merci Train" -- Part 2

Last week I attended a presentation that discussed the work that had been and will be done on our 40 & 8 boxcar.  Since my last posting, the roof panels have been installed to help protect the boxcar from the elements.  Interpretive signage still has to be installed.

Workmen install the roof panels and put a waterproof sealant on the finished product.

Our Museum Division curators have also installed a small exhibit in the lobby of our main building about the Merci Train.  Here are pictures of the exhibit, some suitably cropped so you can see all the panels.  Please click on each picture to see a larger image.

The overall exhibit

The left portion of the vertical panel.  Notice the doll the little girl on the right is holding.  It is similar to one in the exhibit case (picture below).

Close-up of above picture so the descriptive sign is readable.

Center portion of the vertical panel

Close-up of above picture so the descriptive sign is readable.

Right portion of the vertical panel

Close-up of top part of above picture so the descriptive sign is readable.

Close-up of bottom part of above picture so the descriptive sign is readable.

A selection of gifts from the French people

There were a number of items that were included with each of the 49 boxcars.  Mississippi's items are pictured above, with some close-up pictures below.

A booklet on the French Army's efforts in WW2 and a painted drumhead

A charcoal drawing of the front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris

A little girl's doll, similar to the one in the picture above of the left portion of the vertical panel

A very nicely done piece of embroidery

Once the interpretive signage is installed, I'll post more pictures.  I hope that you are enjoying this "history lesson" and will try to see the "Merci Train" in your state, if it still exists as some have been allowed to be destroyed.  You can use this web site to see if your state's boxcar is still extant.