America 250: Freedom Trucks travel across U.S. celebrating American history

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, the White House has launched mobile initiatives to bring American history to the public who aren’t able to travel to Washington, D.C.

One is the Freedom Plane National Archives Tour, a traveling exhibit transporting nine original founding documents to eight U.S. cities. Inspired by the Bicentennial Freedom Train, which brought historic documents to Americans in 48 states from 1975 to 1976, this year’s exhibit is being transported by a Boeing 737.

The documents are currently on display at the Museum of Miami through July 5.

Another is the Freedom Truck initiative, involving a fleet of six custom-designed semi-trucks traveling the country as an America 250 mobile museum. Local communities, state fairs, festivals and schools can request a Freedom Truck visit them here. Stops are being added through 2027.

Freedom Trucks are currently on display in North Carolina and West Virginia, with stops scheduled in South Dakota, Wyoming and Pennsylvania through July 4. Trucks are also on display at the Great American State Fair through July 4 and at the “Salute to America” event July 3-5 in Washington, D.C.

Inside exhibit panels describe how the 13 colonies declared independence, highlight Revolutionary War battles and describe the importance of key documents and literature like founding father Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” They also include a tribute wall honoring 50 American heroes, an interactive civics quiz, and provide a way for visitors to digitally add their name to the Declaration of Independence, among other features.

“Rather than asking Americans to travel to Washington, the museum comes to them – transforming schools, civic spaces, and public venues into engaging educational environments. Each custom-built mobile exhibit features museum quality interactive technology, multimedia storytelling, and hands-on experiences that highlight America’s founding, defining chapters, and the innovation that continues to shape our nation’s future,” Freedom 250 explains.

The trucks are scheduled to make nearly 100 stops in multiple states. They’re traveling to state fairs, festivals, community events, pioneer days, campgrounds, battle sights, freedom fests, airshows, national parks, Christian schools, among others.

“America’s 250th anniversary is a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and inspire the next generation about America’s glowing future,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Skylar Swanson said. “By bringing these interactive exhibits directly into Tennessee communities, we’re making our nation’s history accessible, engaging, and a memorable experience, especially for students who will carry the American story forward.”

Exhibit panel content was largely written by Matthew Spalding, senior academic advisor for America250 projects. Spalding is the Kirby Professor in Constitutional Government at Hillsdale College and serves as its dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government. He also oversees the Allan P. Kirby Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship at Hillsdale’s Washington, D.C. campus. He is the author of several books, including, The Making of the American Mind: The Making of Our Declaration of Independence, and We Still Hold These Truths: Rediscovering Our Principles, Reclaiming Our Future. He is also the original executive editor of The Heritage Guide to the Constitution, the first line-by-line analysis of each clause of the U.S. Constitution.

During President Donald Trump’s first term, Spalding was appointed to lead the Advisory 1776 Commission, which produced the 1776 Report. The report expounds on the principles and rights enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. It also highlights challenges to the American principles of liberty and equality, including “slavery, progressivism, fascism, communism, racism and identity politics.”

The report includes a call to action to encourage “national renewal,” by prioritizing the role of the family, teaching American history, freedom, “the American mind,” reverence for laws and faith and American principles.

Exhibit panels and videos were also created by Prager University, a nonprofit advocacy group and media organization founded by screenwriter Allen Estrin and talk show host Dennis Prager.

The Freedom Truck Virtual Vault, created by PragerU and talk show host Glenn Beck’s American Journey Experience, includes one-minute videos accessible online. They highlight historical documents and artifacts of the American Revolution, including the Aitken Bible, the only Bible endorsed by Congress. Others include a provision request by starving troops at Valley Forge, information about key weapons, George Washington’s eyeglasses, among others.