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Hershey’s Antique Car Museum – Not Just for the Boys

Antique car museum

The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum has been described as “a world class automotive experience” and it is high on our list of must-do’s in Hershey. It is a wonderful trip through history full of nostalgia and discovery for the whole family.

Remember your first car or your dream car—or maybe those special Sunday drives in your grandfather’s car. You may find them at the museum. At any given time 85 -100 or more classic cars are on display from an 1895 Chicago Motor Benton Harbor to a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba with “fine Corinthian leather seats.”

The museum’s highly detailed dioramas present original and restored vehicles in elaborate settings that really bring history to life.  From a tiny turn of the century machine shop in New York to the Golden Gate Bridge; from Model T’s to muscle cars, our love affair with the automobile is beautifully documented. One of our favorite stops is Flo Fortnay’s restored 1941 Valentine Diner (relocated from Wichita, KS). It’s a walk-in time capsule.

The museum also houses the largest collection of historic Attractions in Hershey PAbuses under roof in the United States including the Lakeland Bus Lines bus from the movie Forest Gump.

Children will enjoy the activity area designed for them with a variety of hands-on projects and activities. Our family loves the Roads to Rails model train exhibit featuring vintage trains and scenes from the ‘50s.

The Museum’s special changing exhibits have us visiting often. This spring (Until May 27th), they are going green with an Alternative Energy Vehicle Exhibit. What most people don’t know is that these technologies have been around as long as the Hershey B&Bautomobile itself. Very early in the automotive industry, Electricity competed with steam and internal combustion as inventors sought to make practical and affordable vehicles. There were even some wood burners. The exhibit will take you from the beginning right up to today with select modern models that aim to offer – high mileage, performance, comfort and low emissions.

Antique Car Museum in HersheyAnd Coming Soon:

From April 3rd until October 25th, Dusty Jewels — off-road motorcycles of the 1970s will be showcased. The exhibit highlights models produced by diverse manufacturers that are functionally cutting edge but very different aesthetically from one another.

The Chevrolet Centennial will be celebrated from June 15th until October 14th.  You’ll enjoy 100 years of those iconic Chevy vehicles. Didn’t everyone want a Corvette Sting Ray? Actually, my dream car in 1959 was an Impala.

Hershey B&BIn addition to these exhibits, there are frequent special events such as the upcoming “Cool Cars for Cats and Critters” on April 28th, a charity car show featuring more than 90 exotic and high interest cars.

The museum, which only about 4 miles from our Hershey B&B, is open daily from 9AM until 5 PM. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for Seniors, $7 for children… and we usually have discount tickets.

Their website is easy to navigate and full of more good information about this great Hershey attraction!

 

All photos used by permission by the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey.