Museum of Automobiles facts for kids
| Established | 1964 |
|---|---|
| Location | Morrilton, Arkansas, USA |
| Type | Automobile museum |
The Museum of Automobiles is a cool place in Morrilton, Arkansas. It's right next to Petit Jean State Park. This museum is all about cars! You can see many old and classic cars here. They also have motorcycles, old guns, license plates, and fun arcade games. Plus, there's lots of car-related stuff to look at. One special car is a rare 1923 Climber touring car. It's unique because it was made right there in Arkansas!
The museum also holds many exciting events. These include "swap meets," where people trade car parts. They also have big car shows where you can see amazing vehicles.
Contents
History of the Museum
How the Museum Started
The Museum of Automobiles first opened its doors in 1964. It was started by Winthrop Rockefeller. He became the Governor of Arkansas later on. The museum was home to Rockefeller's own collection of old and classic cars.
Changes Over Time
After Winthrop Rockefeller passed away, his car collection was sold. In 1975, a collector named Bill Harrah bought 68 cars and three horse-drawn vehicles. The sale was for $947,000. The museum building and its 57 acres of land were given to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Reopening the Museum
In 1976, a new group was formed. This group reopened the museum. They borrowed cars from collectors all over the country. The museum building was leased from the state. This way, the public could still enjoy looking at amazing automobiles.
What You Can See Today
Cars on Display
Today, the museum has more than 30 cars that have been given to its collection. These cars are a big part of what makes the museum special.
Rockefeller's Special Cars
The museum still has some of Winthrop Rockefeller's personal vehicles. One is a 1951 Cadillac. This is the car he drove when he first moved to Arkansas. Another is his 1967 Cadillac limousine. It has a cool sterling silver hood ornament shaped like a Santa Gertrudis bull. You can also see his 1914 Cretors popcorn wagon. It's a fun piece of history!
