The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum at Hershey: The Museum’s original and restored vintage vehicles are displayed in elaborate scenes that bring the history of the automobile to life. From a tiny machine shop in turn-of-the-century New York to the asphalt apron of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Museum’s Sea to Shining Sea exhibit invites the visitor to move through time and space on a tour from the automobile’s blacksmith shop beginnings to a time and place where the car was king.
The journey continues beyond the main exhibit — into a changing exhibit gallery designed to showcase short term displays that range from Model T’s to Muscle Cars. Moving to the Lower Level reveals a new set of spaces to be explored, including Flo’s restored 1941 Valentine Diner (relocated from Wichita, Kansas).
Parked next to Flo’s are a dozen vehicles owned by the Museum of Bus Transportation — they’re the largest collection of historic buses under roof in the United States. When viewed along with the 100 foot timeline mounted on the rear wall, they tell the story of an industry that carried four generations of Americans across town and across the country. Be sure to see the Lakeland Bus Lines bus from the movie “Forrest Gump” and the wicker-seated 1927 Fageol Safety Coach.
The Lower Level also includes an ever changing variety of vehicles that are too interesting or unique to be kept in collection storage. You may find an early “funeral car” (hearse) built from a carriage body and an REO truck), or Larry Porter’s rare collection of Ford “alphabet cars” (Henry Ford’s early cars from Model A to Model T), the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur factory Limousine once owned by Whitney Huston or many other interesting vehicles.
For children this is the place to get up close and personal with automotive stuff. In the activity room, younger visitors can do a crayon rubbing of an antique license plate and engage in a variety of hands-on projects and activities. At the Photo Stop, kids of all ages can dress up in period clothing and have their picture taken sitting a vintage vehicle.
The finishing touch to any museum visit is a trip to the Retail Store. Featuring exciting and unusual items such as Garage Décor, Auto Care, Collectibles, Books, DVD’s, models, toys and much more – There’s something for everyone! Many items from the store are also available online.