America on Wheels facts for kids
America on Wheels museum in June 2009
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| Established | April 12, 2008 |
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| Location | 5 N. Front Street Allentown, Pennsylvania 18102 |
| Type | Transportation museum |
| Public transit access |  LANta bus: 107, 220 (at 2nd and Hamilton streets) |
The America on Wheels museum is a fun place in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It's all about vehicles that travel on roads, like cars, trucks, and bicycles!
This museum is quite large, with over 23,000 square feet of space for exhibits. It has three main galleries and other smaller displays. You can find different exhibits that change often on the second floor. There's also a cafe and a special art gallery showing vehicle-themed artwork.
The museum's collection features more than 75 different vehicles. These include bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. The exhibits tell the story of how people and goods have moved around, from old carriages to the vehicles we might see in the future. The museum also keeps important records from Mack Trucks.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
Back in 1989, officials in Allentown had an idea. They wanted to make an old industrial area along the Lehigh River new again. This area used to have an old meat packing plant.
Their big plan was called "Lehigh Landing." It would include a museum, a place to make drinks, walking paths, and a bridge over the river. They also wanted a special area for festivals.
Building the Museum
Building the museum wasn't easy. There were problems with raising money and cleaning up the old industrial land. It took a long time to get everything ready.
After a few different starting ceremonies, the museum finally opened. It cost over $17 million to build! The doors officially opened to the public on April 12, 2008.
Cool Vehicles and Exhibits
The 1889 Nadig Gas-Powered Carriage
One of the most important vehicles at the museum is the 1889 Nadig Gas-Powered Carriage. This is a very special part of the collection. It was one of the first vehicles in the United States to run on gas!
Henry Nadig was a mechanic from Germany living in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He built his gas-powered carriage in 1889. This was two years before Charles E. Duryea built his first gas-powered car. The carriage was so new and unusual that it scared horses! Because of this, the police made Henry drive it only at night. This amazing vehicle was later found rusting in a broken-down shed in Allentown. Luckily, it was saved and restored.
Other Vehicles on Display
The America on Wheels museum often changes its exhibits. Many of the vehicles you see there are on loan from other places. For example, some vehicles come from the Mack Truck Museum, also in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
The West Gallery at the museum gets a new theme every six months. This means there's always something new to see!
See also
- List of automobile museums
- List of historic places in Allentown, Pennsylvania
