When Yuhs need to be inside during Our Inclement
Weather, or “Escaping” the Heat…
The original Attractions “page” was started
long ago, in a different era, when ‘Ol Lone Star JR’, aka Johnny Rutherford had
been appointed to the Harold Lemay museum’s Board of Director, circa 2008,
Crikeys! Which somehow I’m guessing He’s no longer affiliated with?
But my list of museums “Parking lot” had simply
become overcrowded and hence, the need to pave more parking spaces, which I’ve
been doing very slowly…
WASHINGTON
Americas Car Museum
Location: Tacoma
Believe ground was
broken on the ten acre site donated by the City of Tacoma in 2010. For what
would become a four story, or is it five? 165,000 square foot building housing
350 cars, mostly from the late Harold LeMay’s private collection. Known for
being the nation’s largest private collection.
Presumably, one of
LeMay’s most treasured automobiles was the 1948 Tucker He purchased, which I’ve
“seen” before. Having been an ACM member for the first three years of its existence.
It’s a wonderful
museum, with constantly revolving automotive displays. As think my favourite
was when they did an Route 66 exhibit. Not to mention having some of the IMS
Hall of Fame IndyCars once on display, most notably one of the Lotus 56 Turbine
cars!
Alas, having left for
whatever will be my Home state, I last visited the ACM museo in Gory 2016,
which seems like a really long time ago! Having posted this monstrous five page
story, Wayback’ when…
AUTOS:
Bimmers’ abound at America’s Car Museum
Museum Website
https://www.americascarmuseum.org/
LeMay Family collection
Location: Marymount
The bulk of Harold
LeMay’s private Car Collection resides on the Marymount campus in Tacoma, which
I’ve been to once before. But am loathe to admit how long ago that was!
Although being before the America’s Car Museum building was built, Crikeys!
As I just remember
walking past row after row of vehicles, including a Hemelgarn IndyCar, and
perhaps a Sherman tank?
Having scribbled
about Lucky’s Garage and Harold LeMay, the Man in the following No Fenders tome
nearly a decade ago…
AUTOS:
Lucky’s Garage and the Man who Inspired It
Museum Website
https://lemaymarymount.org/
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
Location: Kent
Yeah, this Ain’t a
Car museum per se, and suppose it actually angles towards aviation instead. Due
to having several great vintage, WWII piston powered Aeroplane engine, i.e.;
Rolls Royce, Merlin and Allison Hydroplanes on display. Along with a lone
turbine powered boat. Being the 1982 U-00 Atlas Van Lines turbine Hull, driven
by Chip Hanauer.
But it’s a very
quaint, unique museum, with a different flavour for those Hard Core racing
enthusiasts…
Museum Website
https://thunderboats.ning.com/
OREGON
Western Antique Aeroplane Automobile Museum (WAAAM)
Location: Hood River
Stumbled into this
museum a few years ago when reading the Smithsonian’s Air and Space magazine
via my NFB Newsline for The Blind telephone’s service, about a rare glider I’d
never heard of before.
Best part of all
about this museo is that they call themselves a living museum. Proclaiming that
everything is restored to fully functioning status. Along with either being
flown or driven, very Cool!
Museum Website
https://waaamuseum.org/
Pacific Northwest Truck Museum
Location: Brooks
Thar’ were initially two
Automotive museums lurking some nine miles north of Salem, the State’s Capitol.
In the before unknown Brooks, Oregon to Mwah. With a population of an
eye-popping 472, Jeepers!
Naturally, my
follow-up gander on Zed Intrawoods’, nee internet claimed the museo’ is located
in Salem, on Brooklane Road NE. Which I suppose makes more sense, since Brooks
itself must be tiny!
Trucking is “King” in
the Pacific Northwest, albeit it seems odd that Warshington’ doesn’t have a
Kenworth or Paccar Truck museum? While weekly I hear the J-Brake and rumble of
“Older” logging trucks here in Bumfiddle’ Florence…
As the museum’s
website proclaims they have over 75 vintage trucks in their collection. Ranging
from Semi-truck rigs’ such as GMC, Kenworth, International, Peterbilt,
Freightliner and Mack. Along with many trucks from the past that no longer are
manufactured.
While their newest
acquisition is the Freightliner donated first generation Electric Semi-tractor.
Built upon a 2017 Cascadia Sleeper Cab platform, with many European parts on
the hand built chassis.
As it sounds like a
very interesting museum, worthy of a visit…
Museum Website
http://pacificnwtruckmuseum.org/index.html
Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum
Location: Brooks
This was the other
Automobile museum to pop-up when googling Automotive museums in Oregon. Also
being located in Brooks, with the same address as the Truck museo’ above, Hmm?
As their website says
they’re dedicated to preserving the history of vintage Automobiles and
Motorcycles. And proud to be one of the 14 Museums located in Brooks, whilst
I’ve got no idea how large the museum is? Or what it All encompasses?
Museum Website
https://www.nwcarandcycle.org/
Powerland Heritage Park
Location: Brooks
Uhm, what’s that well
worn saying? Ah, I love it when a plan comes together! As the mystery’s solved,
Tuh-duh!
The two museums
listed above, make up part of the 14 total museums located on the Powerland
Heritage Park campus, a 62 acre parcel of land dedicated to the preservation of
many vintage machinery.
With such factions as
Antique Caterpillar and John Deere machinery, the Western Railway Preservation
Society,, Willow Creek Railway and Willamette Valley Model Railroad Operating
museums. Along with the Trucks, Vintage Cars & Motorcycles, Pacific NW
Logging and other related Steam powered collections, it sounds like a fantastic
place to visit!
Museum Website
https://www.antiquepowerland.com/about-powerland-heritage-park
