L’Enfant Plaza Station
Connecting America Through Art, History, and Transit
56 images of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five inhabited U.S. territories
Artworks printed on corrugated plastic boards installed on construction barricades.
Every day, Metro brings together people from different backgrounds, communities, and experiences. This installation celebrates that spirit of connection through a collaboration between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s Art in Transit Program, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum, and the United States Postal Service (USPS).
As America commemorates its 250th anniversary in 2026, WMATA celebrates its 50th anniversary, the United States Postal Service marks 250 years of service, and the Smithsonian celebrates 180 years, this project brings together three institutions at a moment of shared milestones. Drawing from stamp collections preserved by the National Postal Museum and USPS, the artwork showcases all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five inhabited U.S. territories, highlighting the diverse places, communities, and stories that make up the American experience.
The imagery featured throughout the installation was selected from historic U.S. postage stamps. Many of the designs highlight state birds, native wildlife, flora, landmarks, and other symbols closely associated with individual states and territories. These familiar images offer a window into the places people call home while celebrating the distinct identities that contribute to the American story. Their enduring appeal reflects the ways different communities connect with symbols that evoke memory, pride, and a sense of place.
The collection also draws on the nostalgic character of postage stamps themselves. For generations, stamps have documented American life, commemorating landscapes, traditions, people, and events across the country. Like Metro, they have connected people across distances, carrying messages, ideas, and experiences from one community to another. Together, these images create a visual portrait of the nation’s rich and varied heritage.
This installation invites visitors to reflect on the connections that unite Americans across states, territories, and generations. By bringing together collections, public transportation, and shared civic spaces, the collaboration transforms a place of transit into an opportunity for discovery, highlighting the diverse communities and experiences that continue to shape the American story.
The installation adorns the construction barricades during the Metro ADA Improvement Project.
All images courtesy of the United States Postal Service and Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum.