Merci Train - Gift to Longwood, 1949

Access and use

Location of collection:
Longwood University
Archives and Special Collections
Greenwood Library
Longwood University
401 Redford Street
Farmville, VA 23909
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (434) 395-2432
Fax: (434) 395-2453
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions to access or use for research purposes.

Summary

Extent:
.75 Linear Feet 1 archival flat box
Creator:
Longwood College,
Language:
French .

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of a pair of hand-carved, small wooden clogs.

Biographical / historical:

The Merci Train was a gift from the nation of France, sent in gratitude for 40 million dollars of food and aid given to them by the United States in 1947. The gift consisted of 49 boxcars each filled with gifts donated by the citizens of France. When the train arrived in the United States in February 1949, one boxcar was sent to each state, with Hawaii and the District of Columbia sharing the 49th car. The Commonwealth of Virginia made the decision to divide the contents of their boxcar among state institutions and specific dignitaries and organized a committee tasked with accomplishing that goal. Longwood College received two items from the Merci Train, several yards of handmade lace and a pair of carved wooden clogs. The wooden clogs include an inscription on the sole of each shoe as well as a business card that includes information regarding the artist who crafted them.

Custodial history:

The hand-carved wooden clogs in this collection, which were crafted by Marc Coudeville of Roubaix, France, were included in the 1949 Merci Train boxcar sent to the Commonwealth of Virginia and were subsequently given to then-Longwood College by a state committee tasked with dividing the gifts. It is unknown when this collection was transferred to the Greenwood Library Archives.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
French Gratitude Train.
Names:
Coudeville, Marc