Photo: The Henry Ford
	"Driving America" is an automotive impact exhibit at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich., opening Jan. 29 that will include 18 interactive 42-inch touchscreens offering additional details, images, videos and oral histories.

'Driving America' highlights U.S. automotive heritage, impact

Michigan,
© 2012 Group Tour Media
January 23, 2012

DEARBORN, Mich. — For years, The Henry Ford has presented the story of the automobile in American life.

Opening Jan. 29 at the Henry Ford Museum is the latest chapter in that real-life tale: “Driving America.”

The new exhibition — a complete makeover of “The Automobile in American Life” exhibit — mixes vehicles, artifacts, digital media, interactive play and personal accounts.

The 80,000-square-foot “Driving America” display includes 130 vehicles and more than 60 cases of artifacts.

Visitors can interact with 18 42-inch touchscreens to access details, images, videos and oral histories. After creating a custom collection, a visitor can set it up so that their collection can be accessed through a mobile device or home computer for viewing later.

“‘Driving America’ is more than an exhibition with cars on display,” said Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford. “It is really an interactive, state-of-the-art story of us — us as drivers, consumers and enthusiasts, as well as how this innovation has changed almost every aspect of our lives and heavily influenced the decisions we make.

“It is an exhibition that resonates with us all and will challenge us to think differently about what we drive.”

The exhibition’s 20 focal-point areas cover everything from hot rods to road trips and racing.

On view are historically significant vehicles. Among them is an 1896 Duryea, the last remaining example of the first U.S. production car, in addition to century-old electric cars, current hybrids, muscle cars, racers and SUVs.

	Photo: The Henry Ford
	A DeSoto automobile and Holiday Inn sign are part of the "Driving America" exhibit opening Jan. 29 at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Mich.

A new theater experience is part of the exhibition, and there is a new signature film examining how the automobile has transformed the world and highlighting future choices.

“What makes this exhibition different from most is that it looks at cars through the eyes of the people who use them, or in some cases, don’t use them,” said Bob Casey, senior curator of transportation for The Henry Ford. “Visitors will be asked to think about what attracted them to automobiles in the first place.

“How have their definitions of style or luxury changed over time? How have their attitudes towards safety, or recreation, or environmental costs changed? ‘Driving America’ uses The Henry Ford’s unparalleled collection to inspire visitors to think about these and other questions surrounding their relationships with the car.”

Meanwhile, an old favorite, the 1946 Lamy’s Diner, will now offer diner-style food.

For more details, visit www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/drivingamerica/DrivingAmerica.aspx

Coming in March

On April 15, 1912, RMS Titanic, the world’s largest ship, sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives.

During the 100th anniversary of the sinking, The Henry Ford will host the largest touring exhibition of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, in Henry Ford Museum, March 31 through September 30, 2012.

The exhibition, 10,000 square feet in size, will feature more than 300 artifacts – 250 never displayed in Michigan.

In addition, visitors will walk through extensive room re- creations, be able to get their photos taken near the full-scale replica of the Grand Staircase, as well as learn about passengers on board who had local ties to Michigan.

During the exhibition, The Henry Ford will host related programming, including activities, presentations and lectures.

Details: www.thehenryford.org/titanic.

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