Americana Car Show Celebrates Revolutionary Machines at the International Printing Museum
The International Printing Museum in Carson, California, recently hosted a lively one-day event that brought together classic automobiles and working antique printing presses in a celebration of American independence, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Attendees stepped back in time as they wandered the museum grounds, where car enthusiasts proudly displayed more than a dozen distinctive vehicles in the parking lot. The lineup spanned eras, from powerful 1960s and ’70s muscle cars to true classics such as a 1912 English Deasy and a sleek 1936 Ford Roadster. Museum Curator Mark Barbour particularly enjoyed the elegant 1929 Packard Limousine, which brought back fond memories of his wedding day when he and his wife rode in a similar
1930 Packard from Ernie Lindner’s collection, whose historic presses are now a highlight of the museum’s exhibits.
The celebration also featured a special display marking the 250th anniversary of America’s birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence. In the museum’s library, guests viewed facsimiles of several key editions, such as Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten draft, the Dunlap broadside printed on the night of July 4, 1776, and the first version to include the signers’ names, printed by the pioneering colonial printer Mary Katherine Goddard.
In the Museum’s library, a living-history interpreter portraying Thomas Jefferson shared engaging stories about America’s path to independence. Visitors also had the opportunity to view screenings from the museum’s five-part documentary series, Five Things You Never Knew About the Declaration of Independence, which explores the vital role printers played in creating the Declaration, spreading revolutionary ideas across the colonies, and shaping the new nation. To learn more about this fascinating chapter in American history, watch the full series here.
Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and print their own copies of the Declaration as well as other patriotic keepsakes using the museum’s historic presses. Live bluegrass music by Hop N Holler provided a spirited and fitting soundtrack, adding to the festive community atmosphere.
The International Printing Museum thanks Print Creative Alliance for its generous underwriting, which helped make this engaging and educational event free and accessible to families, printers, and history enthusiasts alike.
