Evel Knievel Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2017 |
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| Location | Topeka, Kansas, United States |
| Type | History museum |
| Collections | Evel Knievel |
| Founder | Lathan McKay, Mike Patterson, James Caplinger |
| Public transit access | Line 21 (Topeka Metro) |
| Nearest parking | On site (no charge) |
The Evel Knievel Museum is a special place that celebrates the life of Evel Knievel. He was a famous American stunt performer. The museum has the biggest collection of his things in the world. It also has fun activities you can try.
The museum used to be in Topeka, Kansas. In May 2024, it was announced that the museum would move. It has now opened in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contents
History of the Museum
The museum was started by Mike Patterson, Lathan McKay, and James Caplinger. Evel Knievel himself always wanted a museum to honor his amazing stunts.
In 2012, a project called "Evel Archaeology" began. Its goal was to find and collect Knievel's motorcycles, vehicles, clothes, and other items.
How the Museum Started
In 2013, a special Mack truck helped create the museum. This truck was called "Big Red." It was one of Knievel's famous vehicles. Lathan McKay and Marilyn Stemp were looking for a new home for "Big Red" because its restoration had stopped.
They contacted Mike Patterson, who owned a Harley-Davidson dealership in Topeka, Kansas. His team was great at restoring motorcycles. Even though they had never restored a Mack truck, they agreed to help. Nearly 100 people worked on the project.
During the 18-month restoration, Patterson, McKay, and James Caplinger decided to build the Evel Knievel Museum. Patterson added a new building to his Harley-Davidson dealership to house the museum.
Museum Recognition
The Evel Knievel Museum quickly became very popular. In 2017, USA Today named it one of the top 10 best new attractions in the country. The museum is also officially approved by Evel Knievel's family.
People Behind the Museum
The Founders
- Mike Patterson was a professional motorcycle racer. He is also a successful businessman. His family has owned the Topeka Harley-Davidson dealership since 1949.
- Lathan McKay is a historian, producer, and actor. He collected the largest number of Evel Knievel items in the world.
- James M. Caplinger was a real estate developer and business owner from Topeka. He was also known for his charity work.
Museum Director
The museum director is Bruce Zimmerman.
About Evel Knievel
Robert Craig Knievel (born October 17, 1938 – died November 30, 2007) was known as Evel Knievel. He was an American stunt performer and entertainer. He tried more than 75 motorcycle jumps from ramp to ramp. Kids especially loved him, and many Evel Knievel toys were made.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Evel Knievel Museum shows his life story. It starts from his early years in Butte, Montana. It goes all the way to his most famous stunts in the 1970s. The exhibits are in order by time. There are over 1,000 items to see. These include his personal things, motorcycles, and interactive displays.
Exciting Exhibits
One cool exhibit is the "4D Virtual Reality Jump." It lets you feel like you are doing one of Knievel's stunts. You get the thrill without any of the danger!
The museum is famous for having Knievel's 1974 Mack Truck and Trailer, "Big Red." It also has his famous star-spangled helmets and leather suits.
Here are some other things you can see:
- Knievel's original jump bikes, leather suits, and helmets.
- His world-famous Mack truck, “Big Red.”
- The Snake River Canyon Skycycle X-2.
- His crash helmet from the Caesars Palace jump.
- His crash helmet from the Wembley Stadium jump.
- Items from the Viva Knievel movie.
- Knievel's jewelry.
- His custom red Cadillac pickup truck.
- An exhibit about the Ideal Toy Company and Knievel toys.
- Personal items like family photos and letters.
- The 1977 J. C. Agajanian special Evel Knievel Indianapolis race car.
- Knievel's first 1970 Harley-Davidson XR-750 iron head jump bike.
- An interactive 4D virtual reality jump experience.
- An interactive exhibit showing Knievel's broken bones with X-rays.
- An interactive jump planner.
- An Evel Knievel movie theater.
- Knievel's crash car.
- Knievel's Harley Davidson Sportster trike.
Awards and Recognition
The Evel Knievel Museum has received several awards.
- In 2017, USA Today named it one of the Top 10 Best New Attractions.
- In April 2019, the museum won a Thea award. This award is from the Themed Entertainment Association. It recognized the museum as one of the best new attractions in the United States.
