National Manufacturing Day
- Oct 1-2, 2026
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Members save 15% on Ford Rouge Factory Tour tickets.
The first Friday of each October is National Manufacturing Day — a celebration of manufacturing and the ways it impacts our lives and communities. Manufacturing’s influence can be seen in countless products we rely on daily and the jobs it provides to American workers and beyond.
This October, join The Henry Ford for a two-day celebration at Ford Rouge Factory Tour, where you will discover how American manufacturing made history — and where it’s headed. Tour the legendary Dearborn Truck Plant and enjoy special activities for National Manufacturing Day.
Featured Experiences
Thursday, October 1
9-11:30 a.m. | Exclusive Access for Wayne County Students
On Thursday morning, Ford Rouge Factory Tour will be closed to the public and open exclusively to schools participating in Wayne County MFG Day.
Special activities will include:
- Speak with an Engineer. Dearborn Truck Plant engineers will be on-site to talk with students about career possibilities in skilled trades.
- Ford Advanced Manufacturing: How Cars are Connected Globally. Ford Advanced Manufacturing will be on-site showcasing how software in automobiles connects globally and how it has defined vehicles.
- 3D Printing. 3D printing has become a critical component in the automobile industry. Learn about the history of 3D printing and see how it is being used in manufacturing settings.
- Celebrate Manufacturing. The Rouge helped shape American manufacturing and is a symbol of American manufacturing innovation. Discover the many forms of manufacturing, especially the work performed at the Dearborn Truck Plant.
Registration for Wayne County MFG Day 2026 is now closed.Click here to learn more.
11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Factory Tour Open to the Public
Tours begin with a bus ride from Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Purchase tickets online or in person at the museum Welcome Center. The last tour bus leaves at 3 p.m.
Special activities will include:
- 3D Printing. 3D printing has become a critical component in the automobile industry. Learn about the history of 3D printing and see how it is being used in manufacturing settings.
- Celebrate Manufacturing. The Rouge helped shape American manufacturing and is a symbol of American manufacturing innovation. Discover the many forms of manufacturing, especially the work performed at the Dearborn Truck Plant.
Friday, October 2
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Factory Tour Open to the Public
Tours begin with a bus ride from Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Purchase tickets online or in person at the museum Welcome Center. The last tour bus leaves at 3 p.m.
Special activities will include:
- 3D Printing. 3D printing has become a critical component in the automobile industry. Learn about the history of 3D printing and see how it is being used in manufacturing settings.
- Celebrate Manufacturing. The Rouge helped shape American manufacturing and is a symbol of American manufacturing innovation. Discover the many forms of manufacturing, especially the work performed at the Dearborn Truck Plant.
Homeschool groups can book reservations here.
Featured Content
In Our Digital Collections | Henry Ford: Assembly Line Expert Set
Check out 25 photos, documents and artifacts that tell the story of Henry Ford’s groundbreaking manufacturing technique, the assembly line.
On Our Blog | “Female Operatives Are Preferred”: Two Stories of Women in Manufacturing
Learn about the Waltham Watch Company and the Burroughs Corporation — and why they sought to employ women in their factories.
Discounted Admission For Members
Become a member for 15% off admission to Ford Rouge Factory Tour, free general admission to the museum and village, free parking, discounts on dining and retail, and more.
This experience is part of The Henry Ford’s commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary. Throughout 2026, you’ll find special programming, new exhibitions and exciting events across our 250-acre campus that spotlight the history of the United States. This yearlong series explores how creativity and ingenuity have sparked change across centuries of American life, and how they continue to shape the future we all share. From revolutionary inventions to grassroots movements, stories of transformation will unfold across Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Giant Screen Experience and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
For a complete list of The Henry Ford’s America 250 experiences, please click here.
More to Explore
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- The Henry Ford
- February 21-27, 2027
- 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Engineers create new possibilities all the time, working together to develop new technologies, products and opportunities that change how we live. Let's inspire the next generation by celebrating all the ways engineers turn dreams into reality by reimagining what's possible.
Corliss Steam Engine Demonstration
- Made in America: Power
- Mon-Fri
- 2-3 p.m.
Detroit: The City of Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
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- Shows Daily
- 35 minutes
Welcome to Detroit, where a vehicle is much more than a way to get from A to B. Experience the movement that shaped not only the Motor City, but automotive culture throughout the world.
Showcase Film.
Fueled by Passion
- Driven to Win
- Daily
- 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Immerse yourself in a 180-degree multisensory theater experience that ignites the drive we all have to power our passions. This 15-minute film shares the stories of five people who have empowered themselves to push their personal limits. Shows are every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour.