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) |
America on Wheels is a cool museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, all about vehicles that travel on roads! It shows how people and things have moved around, from old-fashioned carriages to cars of the future.
The museum is quite big, with over 23,000 square feet of space for exhibits. It has three main areas and some smaller displays. You can also find changing exhibits on the second floor. Up there, you'll also discover the HubCap Cafe and a special gallery showing vehicle art by different artists.
The museum's collection features more than 75 bicycles, motorcycles, cars, and trucks. These vehicles help tell the story of how transportation has changed over time. It's also where the important records of Mack Trucks are kept.
Contents
The Museum's Story
Starting in the 1900s
Back in 1989, officials in Allentown had a big idea. They wanted to make an old industrial area, which included an empty meat packing plant, into something new. This project was called "Lehigh Landing."
The plan for Lehigh Landing was exciting! It was going to have a museum, a place to make drinks, walking paths, a bridge over the river, and a special area for festivals.
Opening in the 2000s
Building the museum wasn't easy. There were challenges with raising money and cleaning up the land. It even became part of a national discussion about government spending.
After a lot of hard work and three different groundbreaking ceremonies, the museum finally opened its doors. It cost over $17 million to build. The America on Wheels museum officially welcomed visitors on April 12, 2008.
Amazing Vehicles and Displays
The 1889 Nadig Gas-Powered Carriage
One of the most special vehicles at the museum is the 1889 Nadig Gas-Powered Car. This car is very important because it was the first gas-powered vehicle ever driven in the United States!
Henry Nadig was a German-born vineyard owner who moved to America with his family. He became a mechanic and opened a shop in Allentown with his sons. Henry finished his gas-powered carriage in 1889. This was two years before Charles E. Duryea made his first gas-powered car. Henry used to test and drive his vehicle at night because it scared horses! His family made sure the vehicle was kept safe from rust, and it was later carefully restored.
What You Can See
Many of the vehicles you see at America on Wheels are on loan from other places. The West Gallery, for example, changes its theme every six months. This means there's always something new to discover! Some of the vehicles on display are borrowed from the Mack Truck Museum, which is also in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
See Also
- List of automobile museums
- List of historic places in Allentown, Pennsylvania
