Freedom Truck mobile museum coming to Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock’s community members and visitors alike will get the opportunity to step into the history of the American Revolution through an 18-wheeled mobile museum.
The borough will host one of six Freedom Trucks, mobile museums created and offered by Freedom 250, a national organization dedicated to leading the 250th anniversary celebration for the United States. The truck will be free to tour between 1 and 5 p.m. on March 27 and between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 28 at 165 Elm St.
Borough Mayor Jondavid Longo said the museums are semi trucks that expand into 1,000 square foot museums that feature a number of exhibits and even real artifacts. Freedom 250’s website said the trucks also include elements, such as “Are you a loyalist or patriot” quiz, a kiosk to sign your name digitally to the Declaration of Independence and a wall of 50 American heroes.
Longo said the borough is really excited by the opportunity to host the truck, as it will draw in new visitors while bringing Slippery Rock into the nationwide program. He said Slippery Rock is just one of a few Pennsylvania stops the trucks intend to make.
“This is a really great opportunity for us to market ourselves beyond just our backyard. It can be easy for small towns like Slippery Rock to be forgotten, so it’s great to be able to hold our hands up and remind people we’re here,” he said.
Longo said the trucks are primarily tailored toward students and children, so he is working with Slippery Rock Area School District and Laurel School District from Lawrence County to get students to the truck.
“My hope is that everybody who visits will leave with a greater understanding of the sacrifices our Founding Fathers made to establish this country that survived another 250 years,” he said.
More information on the “Freedom Trucks” and the Freedom 250 organization can be found at its website, freedom250.org.
