Governor Lee French Merci Train gifts, 1949.

This series contains items from the French Merci Train presented to the State of Utah from the people of France in 1949. Among the gifts preserved in the series are a number of books, (all in French and mostly relating to France, French history, and World War I), artwork, various medals, and cloth stars, hand embroidered with French and American place names.

In 1947 a train, dubbed the "Friendship Train" traveled across the United States collecting supplies to be sent to the aid of war-devastated Europe. The Merci Train was a gesture of gratitude from the people of France to the people of the United States for this aid given in time of need. The Merci Train or Gratitude Train consisted of 49 boxcars, one for each of the 48 states and one to be divided between the District of Columbia and the Territory of Hawaii. The gifts that filled the boxcars included a wide variety of items donated by the people of France. The Salt Lake Tribune noted that among the items in the Utah boxcar were"native costumes from all sections of France, as well as many finely costumed dolls, a book of paintings on silk, wooden shoes, vases and crystal, books, lingerie, wine, historic souvenirs, lace and many 'thank you' gifts made by the children of France". Items from the boxcar were apparently distributed throughout Utah and some items were displayed in the State Capitol. The ultimate fate of most of the items is unknown. The boxcar itself stood on display in Memory Grove in Salt Lake City for many years. A couple of placards included in the series suggest that the items in this series were on display at some point, possibly in the Capitol. The items ultimately became associated with Governor Lee's office because Governor Lee officially accepted the gifts on behalf of the State in a ceremony on February 22, 1949 and appointed a committee to oversee the distribution of the gifts. The series is most important as documentation of the contents of the Merci Train.