In the early 1970s, Ross Rowland Jr., a New York commodities broker and occasional steam locomotive engineer, had the idea to celebrate the Bicentennial of the American Revolution with a traveling exhibition of unique and representative artifacts from the 200 year history of the nation.

The American Freedom Train (AFT) was a 26-car train led by one of three enormous steam engines restored just for the occasion. Over a 21 month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states. 

1976 American Revolution Bicentennial

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Bicentennial Products - Ideals Etc Stockton CA

thectmuseum - From the Collection: This Don't Tread On Me pin-back button was originally owned and worn by Civil Rights activist Mardon Walker on July 4, 1976, at a Bicentennial Fourth of July celebration and rally in Washington, DC.  In 1964, the 18-year-old white Connecticut College sophomore Mardon Walker was an exchange student at Spelman College, a historically Black college in Georgia. On January 13, 1964, she joined a sit-in with twelve other individuals at a segregated diner. She was arrested along with the twelve other individuals and charged with trespass as a result of her joint participation in an attempt to obtain service at the Krystal, a hamburger stand in Atlanta.