Iconic Furthur Bus Traveled to San Francisco Exhibit

The historic 1939 International Harvester bus arrived in San Francisco in August 2026 for a public art exhibit.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Car Culture

Screen-print poster illustration of a vintage bus parked in front of a brick building, evoking a nostalgic cultural heritage. — The historic 1939 bus used in Ken Kesey's 1964 cross-country trip arrived in San Francisco this August to anchor a new fundraising exhibit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should communities prioritize funding the restoration of historical artifacts for public display?

The famed Furthur bus, which gained notoriety during Ken Kesey's 1964 cross-country trip, was transported to San Francisco in August 2026. The vehicle now serves as the centerpiece for an exhibit titled Forever Grateful at the Haight Street Art Center.

Why it matters

The exhibition aims to generate crucial funding for the restoration of the bus, which sat parked in Oregon for over five decades. Owners hope public interest will support the expensive preservation efforts required to maintain the vehicle.

The vehicle is a 37-foot 1939 International Harvester model. It remained stationary in Oregon for more than 50 years before being relocated.

The players

Ken Kesey

He was a counterculture author who famously utilized the Furthur bus for a cross-country journey in 1964.

Haight Street Art Center

This San Francisco organization is currently hosting the Forever Grateful exhibition featuring the historic bus.

The details

After being loaded onto a flatbed truck for transit, the bus was brought to the Haight Street Art Center to anchor the current display. This effort seeks to reconnect the public with the historic vehicle while securing the financial resources necessary for its long-term care.

The International Harvester bus was manufactured in 1939.
Ken Kesey traveled to the New York World's Fair in June 1964.
Ken Kesey died in 2001.
The bus was loaded onto a flatbed truck in August 2026.

Roadmap

The preservation of this vehicle reflects a broader trend of treating iconic cultural artifacts as mobile history requiring specialized mechanical intervention. This effort positions the owners to maintain a piece of automotive Americana that defines a specific era of movement and rebellion.

Local enthusiasts can view the historic vehicle at the Haight Street Art Center in San Francisco. Visiting the exhibit provides direct support for the restoration fundraising campaign aimed at saving the 37-foot bus.

The takeaway

The journey of this bus underscores the high cost and labor required to preserve aging, historically significant vehicles. Readers can support ongoing efforts by engaging with local museum exhibits that provide resources for specialized restoration projects.