October 2, 2025
This Year, the Public Can Join the Celebration by Enjoying Discounts & Giveaways at 15 Museums around the State
MotorCities National Heritage Area is teaming up with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the co-chairs of the Michigan Legislative Auto Caucus, Senators Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway Twp.) and Representatives Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton Twp.) and Curtis VanderWall (R-Ludington), to declare Thursday, October 9 as the 12th annual Michigan Auto Heritage Day throughout the state.
For 2025, the public can get involved in the celebration of Michigan Auto Heritage Day by visiting any one of 15 museums or attractions around the state offering special discounts or giveaways starting Thursday, October 9 and continuing through Sunday, October 12.
More details will be announced at a press conference on Thursday October 9 at 10 a.m. at the Pontiac Transportation Museum, 250 W. Pike St. in Pontiac. A number of local officials and politicians are scheduled to be on hand, including Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, City Council President Michael McGuinness and Main Street Pontiac President John Bry.
“Michigan Auto Heritage Day began in 2014 and has become an annual opportunity to celebrate the story that can only be told in Michigan, namely how this part of the country put the world on wheels," said Shawn Pomaville-Size, Executive Director of MotorCities. “We’re happy to grow the event this year to include our partner museums and attractions and the public to remember our state literally changed the world.”
Museums participating in Michigan Auto Heritage Day include the following:
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Detroit Historical Museum |
20% discount on everything in the Museum Store October 9-12 |
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Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores |
Free grounds admission |
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Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit |
10% discount on purchases from their museum store |
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Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners |
20% discount on the total purchase from gift store |
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The Henry Ford in Dearborn |
Mention Michigan Auto Heritage Day at the Rouge Factory Tour Oct. 9-11 & receive a Rosie the Riveter key chain |
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Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester |
Buy one, get one free guided house tour using the online code MIAUTOHD2MBH25 |
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Michigan Firehouse Museum in Ypsilanti |
$1 discount off admission if you mention Michigan Auto Heritage Day at the door |
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Michigan Flight Museum in Belleville |
Free admission for all guests October 9-12 |
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Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society in Eastpointe |
Buy one, get one free admission for October 10-12 |
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Plymouth Historical Museum |
Alter Car (made in Plymouth) bookmark giveaway for all guests |
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Pontiac Transportation Museum |
Free admission for all guests October 9-12 |
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R.E. Olds Transportation Museum in Lansing |
Free admission for kids 17 and under for October 9-12 |
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Roush Automotive Collection in Livonia |
15% off merchandise in the gift shop |
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Sloan Museum of Discovery in Flint |
50% off general admission and 10% off gift shop merchandise October 9-12 |
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Stahls Motor and Music Experience in Chesterfield Township |
Free sticker to guests mentioning Michigan Auto Heritage Day |
MotorCities, established in 1998, is a nonprofit corporation that is part of the National Heritage Area System of the National Park Service that serves 16 counties representing a population of over 6.5 million. Its mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage. Regional programs inspire residents and visitors with an appreciation for how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation, and the world.
Headquartered in Detroit, MotorCities is the state’s only National Heritage Area and generates $489.7 million each year in economic impact, supporting 5,343 jobs and producing $40 million in tax revenue in Michigan. Over its 26-year history, MotorCities has awarded more than 300 grants for a total investment in local programs of more than $1.9 million.