Promotional title card graphic on a solid dark blue background featuring the white Ford oval logo on the left and the white and light blue text reading Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station on the right, accented by curved graphic lines resembling a winding road.

Ford Icons Come to Union Station for America’s 250th

ByZane Merva
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There is a particular kind of magic to Union Station, serving for more than a century as the front door to the nation’s capital. This summer, at the peak of America’s 250th birthday celebrations, travelers will be greeted by a massive piece of automotive history.

From July 1 through July 14, 2026, Ford will host Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station. This free public exhibit gathers some of the most culturally significant vehicles and artifacts in the American story under one roof.

123 Years of American History

For over a century, Ford has done more than just build automobiles; they have shaped the modern world. The exhibit will highlight pivotal moments in this 123-year journey:

  • The Model T: In 1908, Ford put America on wheels with the first car the working man could afford, followed by the perfection of the moving assembly line in Highland Park, Michigan.
  • The $5 Wage: Doubling the going rate overnight helped spark the Great Migration, with over six million Black Americans leaving the rural South in search of opportunity.
  • The Arsenal of Democracy: During WWII, Ford’s Willow Run plant produced a B-24 Liberator bomber every 63 minutes, alongside over 277,000 jeeps and countless tanks.
  • Iconic Vehicles: From the unveiling of the Mustang at the 1964 New York World’s Fair to the F-Series pickup, which has been America’s best-selling truck for 49 years running.

The Seven Chapters of “Driving America Forward”

The exhibit is broken down into seven distinct narrative chapters that showcase how a country and a company share a history:

  • Birth of an American Dream: The story of how Ford put the world on wheels.
  • The Backbone of Work: A tribute to the contractors, farmers, and first responders who power the economy.
  • Answering the Call: Highlighting Ford’s role in war, disaster relief, medical innovation, and the race to the moon.
  • Shaping Pop Culture: The Ford in the movie, the song, and even the Popemobile.
  • 125 Years of Racing: A racing legacy driven by an unrelenting desire to win.
  • American Innovations: Breakthroughs from the factory floor to the laboratory bench.
  • Building a Better World: The communities and people Ford has worked alongside to leave the world better than they found it.

Plan Your Visit

  • What: Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station.
  • When: Daily from July 1 through July 14, 2026.
  • Where: The Main Hall of Union Station in Washington, D.C..
  • Cost: Admission is free; no ticket is required.
  • Access: Fully accessible and reachable by Metro Red Line, MARC, VRE, Amtrak, taxi, rideshare, or personal vehicle.

For updates in the weeks ahead, follow @Ford and @HagertyDriversFoundation on social media.

Zane Merva is the President of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). A veteran automotive journalist with over 26 years of experience, Zane is a designated 'Car Talk' Expert and has been a contributor to The Boston Globe. He is also the Publisher of GM-Trucks.com. He possesses a unique evaluative perspective, having road-tested more than 2,000 vehicles across every major manufacturer. While he is a recognized authority on General Motors truck platforms—including the Silverado, Sierra, and Colorado—his expertise is grounded in decades of deep competitive analysis that few in the industry can match. His commentary has been featured by major OEMs and media outlets, including Hyundai and PR Newswire