Behind-the-scenes access part of new Volo Museum tours
For the first time in its 63-year history, the Volo Museum is offering guided tours, included at no additional charge with regular admission.
Tours are available at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and provide visitors a chance to peel back the curtain on how this 75-acre complex of everything from muscle cars to music machines, mammoths and more came to be.
"Hear the unknown stories, get behind-the-scenes looks and see over 10,000 mechanical marvels with a completely new perspective," said Jim Wojdyla, marketing director at the museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo.
"Whether it's your first time visiting, or your 100th, you will get to know Volo Museum like the Grams family does," he said. "Trust us, there are some pretty incredible stories on how the family obtained, built, restored, transported and discovered all of the exhibits and pieces that now make up our world-famous collection."
The tours include the main museum showrooms; the Titanic Museum and Jurassic Gardens are not included.
Leading the tours will be Volo Museum employees Seamus Pearcy and Jordan Burg, both of whom have been taking deep dives into the museum's background.
"I love the history behind everything here," Pearcy said. "I love all of the old classics. The opportunity to tell some of the stories behind the collection is pretty exciting."
Burg, who has a bachelor's degree in history, said she anticipates that visitors' questions will help them both develop greater details and intrigue as people begin to take the museum up on the new visitor perk, which launched Tuesday, Sept. 12.
With everything from Jay Ohrberg bizarre cars to Disney statuary and parade vehicles, a century-old carousel and antique music machines from around the world, the list of facts behind key exhibits is long.
Wojdyla said among the great things about the tours will be guests' ability to jump in and out of them as desired. A maximum of 20 people can join a tour during a given time slot, he added. To sign up for one, go to www.volocars.com/the-attraction/guided-tours and click the signup link.
The ever-expanding Volo Museum is home to hundreds of classic muscle cars, Hollywood movie cars, a Titanic Museum, film-famous trains and more.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $22.95 per adult, $20.95 per senior or military, $12.95 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger.
Separate admission to the Jurassic Gardens dinosaur park is $15.95 each; free for children 4 and younger. Combo passes for both attractions cost $34.95 for an adult or $24.95 for children ages 5 to 12, and are good for two consecutive days.
Admission to the new Titanic Museum is $19.95, or $14.95 in combination with any other ticket or for members. For other details, visit volofun.com, find Volo Museum on social, or call (815) 385-3644.