In celebration of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, the American Freedom Train, powered by a steam locomotive, traveled across the country from April 1, 1975, through Dec. 31, 1976. Along the way, it displayed more than 500 iconic American artifacts to more than 7 million visitors. Items included George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, the original Louisiana Purchase Treaty, Judy Garland’s dress from The Wizard of Oz, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s robes, and a moon rock.
From June 21 through July 6, 1975, the train parked at the Penn Central Depot — now Michigan Central Station — where more than 85,000 visitors toured the remarkable exhibit.
The concept dates to the post-World War II era, when the original Freedom Train carried the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights across 48 states from 1947 to 1949, attracting more than 3 million visitors.
Inspired by both Freedom Train tours and in commemoration of America’s 250th birthday, the National Archives and Records Administration and the National Archives Foundation selected eight museums — including the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn from July 9 through July 26 — to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation exhibition.
The Freedom Plane — a Boeing 737 decked out in red, white, and blue — began its tour in Washington D.C. this past March, carrying nine historic and consequential documents related to the country’s founding. (See below for the complete list of documents and museums.)
“We already have a comprehensive program for our America: 250 Years in the Making celebrations, so this exhibit is another spectacular layer on top of it,” says Ellen Hill Zeringue, chief marketing officer and vice president of venues and programs for The Henry Ford. “We didn’t have to bid for it, but we were thrilled to be chosen. For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these documents. At a time when there is now of a lot of disinformation and misinformation, this gives visitors a concrete understanding of what our leaders had in mind at the time of the founding of our country.” Based upon other museums’ experiences, The Henry Ford expects between 18,000 and 21,000 visitors to view the exhibit, if not more.
The exhibition will reside in the Henry Ford Museum promenade. Tickets are free to the public, but reservations are required. The Freedom Plane will deliver the documents (to DTW) but the plane itself will not be on display.
According to Patrick Madden, CEO of the National Archives Foundation in Washington D.C., the museums selected are all Class A museums that have previously partnered with the National Archives, meet the necessary standards, and would draw a wide audience within different regions of the country.
The exhibition has already traveled to museums in Kansas City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, and Miami. After its time at the Henry Ford Museum, the plane will make its final stop at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to view these vault-level, precious documents that the National Archives holds and are rarely on view,” Madden says. “The totality of this exhibit has never been on display together, even in Washington. The response has been extraordinary. In Kansas City, people stood in line for three hours, and nobody was complaining.”
Madden hopes that the exhibit will not only serve as a key memory from the nation’s 250th birthday but will also inspire viewers. “It’s a good moment to reflect on our founding ideals and those seminal moments, documents, and decisions that created our nation and the democracy we have today and continue to try to live up to,” Madden says. “For the next generation, we hope this is a civil spark and will have them reflect on their role in democracy and find ways for them to participate in it locally or other ways.”
Reservations for this free exhibit opened on June 22. Visit thehenryford.org for more information.
What’s in the Plane?
Original Engraving of the Declaration of Independence, 1823: One of about 50 known copies, commissioned by John Quincy Adams.
Articles of Association, 1774: The first major unified act of resistance against Britain.
George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr’s Oaths of Allegiance, 1778: Documents signed by the officers of the Continental Army.
Treaty of Paris, 1783: The treaty with Great Britain that formally recognized the United States as an independent nation, featuring the signatures of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay.
Secret Printing of the Constitution in Draft Form, 1787: A rare document with handwritten notes by delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
Tally of Votes Approving the Constitution, 1787: Including debate and resolutions at the Constitutional Convention.
Senate Markup of the Bill of Rights, 1789: Proposed amendments to the Constitution to ensure basic freedoms, such as speech, worship, and assembly.
Celebrating America: 250 Years in the Making
Here are more exhibits and programs at The Henry Ford to visit.
Handmade: The Crafting of America (Through Jan. 18, 2027)
This exhibit features more than 100 artifacts representing an array of folk art, textile work, ceramics, and pottery.
Fabric of America: Our Fashions, Textiles, and Technologies (Through Sept. 13)
On display are more than 500 artifacts, including practical household items, revolutionary machinery that changed the textile industry, and iconic fashion statements within five thematic sections: liberty, practicality, inventiveness, abundance, and individualism.
The Dr. Sullivan and Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson Home (Greenfield Village)
In this relocated Selma, Alabama, home, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others made plans for the historic voting rights marches.
Salute to America (Greenfield Village, July 2-5)
In partnership with the DSO, this program features music to honor the 250th, including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, cannon fire, and fireworks.
This story originally appeared in the July 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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