Motor home museum documents life on the road
The crackle of an open fire. Living and laughing with those you love in the great outdoors. Wondering what new breathtaking experiences await just around the next bend in the road.
These are just some of the memories made while "RVing" in a recreational vehicle - or motor home, as they were once known. A fantastic place to rekindle those past moments is the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.
The museum was started in 1973 and its specific location isn't by happenstance. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, more than 60 percent of recreation vehicles are made in Indiana's Elkhart County.
With an area so connected to the industry, a facility nearby dedicated to sharing the history, pastime and love of RVs and motor homes makes total sense. Any visit should include the Founders Hall. Here, a stroll down memory lane is quite easy, as there literally is a quaint carpet road to follow.
This road guides visitors through a display of more than 75 vehicles, detailing the history and technological advancements made in the industry from roughly WWI all the way through modern day. Dozens of trailers, prototype vehicles, pictures and memorabilia are showcased in unique settings and environments.
Among the familiar Winnebagos, Airstreams and Shastas, highlights include a 1931 Chevrolet Housecar built for Paramount Studios to present to vaudeville actress Mae West. There's a 1913 Earl Trailer and Model T Ford, believed to be the oldest non-tent trailer in existence, and a 1964 Clark Cortez Motorhome, one of America's first front-wheel drive motor homes.
The trail concludes among some of the latest offerings, being made right here in the Midwest and showcasing the latest technology and materials available in these comfy homes on wheels.
For those looking to research a particular make or model, a stop in the museum's library reveals volumes of periodicals, trade journals, manuals, records and photos. It's currently the only library dedicated entirely to the archives of the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries.
Another major component of the gallery space is the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The RV/MH Heritage Foundation was formed in 1972 and each year it inducts industry pioneers and leaders. To date, 367 individuals have been inducted and have their plaques displayed.
For more information and to plan your visit, visit www.rvmhhalloffame.org.