Exploring the Lincoln Highway Journey
Jul 23, 2026
Explore the history of the Lincoln Highway!
A new series from Visit Canton showcasing exhibits of art, showcases of music, and much more, currently on exhibit in Stark County! "On Exhibit In Stark County" takes you into local museums and other amazing places in America's Playing Field and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at these groundbreaking exhibitions! This time, we're featuring the history of the Lincoln Highway - America's first transcontinental road for cars. Driving Forces is on exhibit now at the Massillon Museum in downtown Massillon, Ohio!
On Exhibit Now: Driving Forces: The Lincoln Highway Journey from the Massillon Museum! On view until October 18th, 2027!
You can checkout each episode of On Exhibit In Stark County by following Visit Canton's Facebook and Instagram pages. Click the button below to follow along, and check out the first episode below!
Explore the history of the Lincoln Highway with MassMu!
The residents of Massillon, Ohio all know Lincoln Way, but did you know that's just one section of America's first transcontinental road for cars? The Lincoln Highway stretches coast to coast and helped revolutionize travel in America by car - and what a history it has!
To celebrate America 250, as well as Massillon's bicentennial, The Massillon Museum is showcasing that history with a special exhibit! Driving Forces: The Lincoln Highway Journey explores the history of the Lincoln Highway and the impact it had on travel as the first transcontinental road for cars when it was established in the early 20th century. Featuring artifacts like travel guides and the recommended travel equipment for users of the Lincoln Highway, to details about the origins and construction of the highway, Driving Forces takes you on a journey through history and explores the future of the Lincoln Highway as well! Don't miss the fun neon signs - a classic example of roadside charm from yesteryear, and other fun nostalgia when you visit.
Our favorite part? The old-timey restaurant booth is sure to bring back some memories of yesteryear alongside the restored neon signage from the area. But don't miss the old postal cart from the early 1900s - before paved roads were common and horsepower meant literal horses! How things have changed! But while you're exploring the history of the Lincoln Highway, make sure you leave room for the 12 other galleries at the Massillon Museum - you'll be glad you did!
Massillon Museum
121 Lincoln Way E Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 833-4061 Website
TWiLite Café
121 Lincoln Way E Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 316-9070 Website
Paul Brown Museum
121 Lincoln Way E Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 833-4061 Website
Our Tips for making the most of your visit
When you make a plan to visit Massillon, you owe it to yourself to keep the Massillon Museum top of mind! Not only is it free to explore - that's right, no admission cost here, but memberships are always encouraged - but you'll find no shortage of amazing galleries and subjects to learn about!
Our advice? Leave yourself enough time to give a thorough examination of each gallery! There's a lot to explore! You'll want to save extra time as well for the gift shop, featuring tons of goodies like souvenirs and books about the local area!
Hungry? Stop by the wonderful TWiLite Cafe! This lobby café, operated by The Workshops, Inc. (TWi), offers plenty of options for before or after your gallery expeditions! Stop in Tuesday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and enjoy a fresh and inviting space designed for the community. TWiLite Café is more than just a place to eat. It’s a mission in action, by employing and empowering local individuals with developmental disabilities. You'll find great sandwiches, smoothies, and more!
Don't forget! Admission to the Massillon Museum is always free, and there are several galleries to explore, like the Paul Brown Museum that explores the history and legacy of one of football's legendary pioneers, and the Immel Circus Gallery, featuring a 100-square foot miniature circus containing 2,620 pieces and details the local history connecting Massillon with this fascinating piece you won't want to miss!
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Massillon Museum
121 Lincoln Way E Massillon, Ohio 44646 (330) 833-4061 Website