National Road

Within the museum the Historic National Road, America’s first federally funded highway, is celebrated through a 135-foot, custom-built diorama. The diorama tells the story of the evolution of the National Road and its effect on the developing country. Visitors follow the road’s progress from east to west and forward in time. Travel and transportation themes remind visitors that the U.S. was an energetic nation on the move. Sights along the way include a massive Conestoga Wagon (circa 1800), a restored stagecoach, a tavern with a blacksmith and wheelwright, carriages, a steam car, and several pre-1930s automobiles.