Driving Forces: The Lincoln Highway Journey

The nation's first dedicated automobile route runs coast-to-coast through Massillon. Driving Forces is an exploration of Lincoln Highway history and its symbolic significance, marking Massillon's 200th anniversary and America 250. The exhibition walks visitors through five overarching topics about the Lincoln Highway: The Good Roads Movement (precursor), The Lincoln Highway Association (the founding of the Lincoln Highway), Tourism, Doing Business, and the Interstate System (decline and nostalgia).

At the turn of the twentieth century, the rise of motorized vehicles sparked a renewed interest in westward expansion that built upon previous endeavors to connect the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In order to gain support for a transcontinental route, the founders named it the “Lincoln Highway” and promoted it as a functional, patriotic memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. Their strategy was effective and cities and states across the country campaigned to be included on this greatly anticipated route.

The Lincoln Highway was the first continuous coast-to-coast route designed for motor vehicles. MassMu visitors will be able to trace the entire span of the Lincoln Highway along the gallery wall, which includes a large-scale highlight of the city of Massillon. "The Lincoln Highway connected the nation right through the heart of Massillon, making it a compelling subject to explore during this banner year of 2026, as we commemorate both Massillon's bicentennial and America 250,” Metzger suggests.

As Americans embraced car travel and traffic increased, business from local residents and out-of-town tourists fueled development and prosperity in Lincoln Highway towns. The exhibition also illustrates what Massillon’s streetscape looked like before the highway. Guests will reminisce as they view a Sugar Bowl booth and dishes, menus, and memorabilia from various Massillon restaurants. Wooden and neon signs will anchor the exhibition.

A horse-drawn postal cart from 1900 will help viewers learn how the Post Office played a major promotional role in promoting paved roads to rural areas.

Driving Forces delineates how Massillonian Jacob Coxey was a Good Roads advocate, illustrates who had the idea for the Lincoln Highway, and describes how leaders convinced others to support the idea. The high-profile Lincoln Highway was a model for the nation's network of improved roads that followed.

When the Lincoln Highway was officially named in 1913, driving time from New York to San Francisco was two months. (Google maps lists today’s travel time from Times Square to San Francisco’s Lincoln Park as 43 hours.) The exhibition shows what supplies and clothing were recommended tor the cross-country journey in the 1920s.

The exhibition encourages people to consider how, over time, the bigger, faster interstate system diminished the Lincoln Highway's vitality.