WASHINGTON, D.C. — A special display at Washington’s Union Station is turning the historic terminal into a free museum of American innovation for the next two weeks.
There’s always been something special about stepping inside Union Station. For more than a century, it has been the front door to the nation’s capital, welcoming leaders, soldiers, commuters and millions of visitors. Now, as America celebrates its 250th birthday, the station is welcoming history of a different kind.
From July 1 through July 14, a historic look at one company that helped drive American progress. Ford’s Driving America Forward: A Ford Experience at Union Station is bringing together legendary vehicles and artifacts that helped shape the nation.
“For me, it’s pride. I just — I’m really proud of it. It really is really cool,” said Erich Stefanyshyn from Ashburn, Virginia. “It’s a great remembrance of what took place in the past and how this country is built.”
It’s the first sight many visitors traveling by train will see when arriving in Washington for the 250th birthday festivities.
“I was floored. I was like, this is pretty cool that Ford’s doing something right there, especially on a cool weekend like the 250 celebration,” said Nicolas Gerace, who traveled from Port Byron, Illinois, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
For Ford owners and enthusiasts like Gerace, seeing the exhibit was the perfect way to kick off the celebratory weekend.
“I’ve got a 1971 Ford Bronco,” said Gerace, who enjoyed seeing a special display surprise on his trip from Illinois. “Especially seeing that racing Bronco. I’ve seen documentaries on those trucks and the Baja races and stuff. So it was very cool.”
The experience houses more than just some of America’s favorite classic cars. It celebrates more than 123 years of building machines — machines that carried families on cross-country vacations, helped build communities, shaped pop culture, supported America’s military and even played a role in the journey to the moon.
A unique display built around the shared history of a country and an auto company that go hand in hand with each other.
“Ford, I mean, he was a great industrialist. He started the assembly lines and all that kind of stuff. So it is America. America and manufacturing go together,” said Gerace.
