Metro’s 50-year legacy featured in Smithsonian exhibit ahead of America’s 250th birthday

Metro and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History announced a new collaboration connecting visitors to destinations across the National Capital Region tied to the nation’s founding and the American story as the country prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. 

As part of the collaboration, a new mural installation inside the museum highlights destinations across the District, Maryland, and Virginia accessible by Metro Rail and Metro Bus. 

Developed jointly by Metro and the museum, the installation features a special Metro system map guiding visitors to museums, monuments, historic neighborhoods, parks, and cultural destinations connected to the history of the nation. 

"For 50 years, Metro has been part of how people experience the nation’s capital, from daily life and civic events to the museums, landmarks, and moments that define our region," said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. "We’re honored to collaborate with the Smithsonian to help visitors explore the region and experience the stories and destinations that define our nation’s history.”

Museum visitors are invited to explore the mural and discover how Metro Rail and Metro Bus provide convenient access to destinations connected to the nation’s founding story. 

“For generations, the Smithsonian has helped people engage with the American story through curiosity, discovery, and conversation,” said Adam Rozan, Senior Audience Development Lead at the National Museum of American History. “This collaboration with Metro helps visitors understand not only the history of the Revolution, but also how transportation connects people to the places where history happened.” 

Learn more about Metro’s 50th anniversary at Metro’s 50th website. 

About Metro 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region’s leading public transportation provider, serving a population of approximately four million people across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia within a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction. With a network of six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and a door-to-door paratransit service, Metro is the second busiest transit system in the United States serving 268.9 million trips in 2025 with a $5 billion operating and capital budget. Since 2022, Metro has completed multiple transit-oriented development projects that have brought $15 million in tax revenue to the region from housing, office, and retail space in our community. Safety and security are core values at Metro. Over 30,000 cameras monitor the system, and Metro currently has the lowest crime rate in history with fare evasion down 82% on rail. In 2025, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) named Metro the Transit Agency of the Year in recognition of industry-leading ridership growth, record high customer satisfaction, a newly redesigned Bus network, expanded rail service, and improved customer experience.