DETROIT, Sept. 23, 2026 – MotorCities National Heritage Area has announced the finalists for its 2026 Awards of Excellence, honoring individuals and organizations preserving, interpreting and promoting Michigan’s automotive and labor heritage.
The finalists will be recognized during the 2026 Awards of Excellence luncheon and Michigan Auto Heritage Day celebration on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in Livonia, MI. The event will give guests a rare opportunity to experience a private collection featuring vehicles connected to television, music and movies, while also celebrating the people and organizations helping tell Michigan’s automotive story. Tickets are available to purchase for the event through September 28th.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s Awards of Excellence finalists,” said Executive Director Shawn Pomaville-Size of MotorCities National Heritage Area. “Each of these individuals and organizations is helping preserve a different part of Michigan’s remarkable auto story, from tourism and education to the people and places that shaped our communities.”
The 2026 Awards of Excellence finalists are:
Heritage Tourism
- Paul Peters – Autorama, recognizing his contributions to one of Michigan’s signature automotive events and its role in showcasing the state’s car culture and heritage.
- Pontiac Transportation Museum – Pontiac 100th Anniversary, recognizing the museum’s celebration of Pontiac’s century-long automotive history and its connection to the city and region.
Education/Interpretation
- DRIVE One Detroit – Drive One Student Education Program, recognizing its efforts to engage students through automotive education and history.
- Ford House – “Wish You Were Here” Exhibit, chronicles the travels of the Ford family between 1915-1936.
- Merze Tate Explorers – “Driving into History: Black Women, Cars, and Courage,” recognizing its work bringing the stories and contributions of African American women in automotive history to new audiences.
- Michigan Labor History Society – “Forgotten: Murder at the Rouge Plant,” is a jazz opera offering its interpretation of an important and often overlooked chapter of Michigan’s industrial and labor history.
The finalists represent the breadth of Michigan’s automotive heritage, from iconic automotive events and historic vehicle collections to educational programs and exhibits that bring the state’s stories to life.
One recipient for each category will be announced during the Oct. 1 Awards of Excellence program. The event will bring together automotive enthusiasts, historians, community leaders, industry representatives and advocates for Michigan’s automotive heritage to celebrate this year’s finalists and recognize their contributions to preserving the state’s history, while also celebrating Michigan Auto Heritage Day.
Several organizations and businesses have supported the Awards of Excellence Luncheon and Michigan Auto Heritage Day as a sponsor.
Presenting Sponsors
Ford House
GM Heritage Center
International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Patron Sponsors
Visit Detroit
Gilmore Car Museum
Don Nicholson Enterprises
Guests are encouraged to reserve their seat for this unique opportunity to experience automotive history in an exclusive setting alongside fellow enthusiasts, industry leaders and champions of Michigan’s automotive heritage.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2026-motorcities-awards-of-excellence-event.
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About MotorCities NHA:
Established in 1998 and headquartered in Detroit, the MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation affiliated with 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. To learn more about the organization, visit www.motorcities.org or follow their Facebook and LinkedIn pages at www.facebook.com/motorcities and www.linkedin.com/company/motorcities-national-heritage-area
MEDIA CONTACT:
LaTrisha Jackson
MotorCities National Heritage Area
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