Ford Motor Company is celebrating America's 250th anniversary with a two-week exhibit at Washington D.C.'s Union Station, highlighting the automaker's role in the nation's history and innovation. The free public exhibit, titled "Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station," features 10 vehicles and artifacts from the Ford Heritage Vault.
The exhibit traces Ford's 124-year legacy, beginning with iconic models like the Model T, the company's first mass-produced car, and extending to a 1934 Ford pickup on loan from Jay Leno. Other featured vehicles include a 1941 Ford GP prototype, which contributed to the development of the military Jeep; a 1951 Ford 8N tractor; a 1954 F-100 pickup; and a 2026 Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One car.
Ted Ryan, Ford's archives and heritage brand manager, told Fox News Digital that the exhibit aims to showcase the company's "material impact on America," from industrialization and the moving assembly line to mass transportation and agricultural transformation.
Union Station was chosen as the location due to its historical significance as a gateway to the nation's capital. Ryan noted that for over a century, the station has served as a place where presidents have arrived, soldiers have departed for war, and millions of Americans have entered the heart of democracy.
Beyond its automotive contributions, Ford's impact extends to other areas, including the development of Mission Control at Johnson Space Center and tracking beams for airplanes. The company also invented the mail sorter.
Ryan hopes the exhibit will spark memories for visitors and provide new insights into Ford's contributions to American industry, transportation, and culture. The exhibit is open daily through July 14 and requires no tickets or registration.