When I was in school, history class was one of my least favorite classes. I don’t believe it was because I didn’t have any interest in history, considering how involved my life is with history these days.

The main memory that sticks out for me about history class is that it was always the class that came with a big textbook. The textbooks were full of chapters of history, followed by some sort of quiz or test at the end.

Aside from a random class project, (which was way more interesting), history class for me was nothing more than the teacher telling me to read the chapter and answer the questions at the end.

For some, this kind of learning may be perfect, but for me, I find it monotonous and boring. I was able to find the answers and pass the tests, but most of what I answered was stored in short-term memory.

Today, I find history absolutely fascinating. I listen to audiobooks of prominent individuals from history. I watch historical documentaries and I go to museums.

There are a lot of different historical timelines you learn about. A lot of historical timelines measure wars, dynasties, evolution, geographical change, etc. The one thing they all have in common is that they span long periods of time and can end up seeming vague.

History is fascinating, and I’m a fan, but there is so much. I have always been a car guy, for as long as I can remember. Being thrown into the automotive museum world, I’ve discovered my favorite history subject.

The automotive history timeline may arguably be the most complete and intricate historical timeline ever. The timeline begins in 1885 and, for 140 years and counting, we can see the evolution of the automobile industry.

We know all the different manufacturers that have come and gone. We can see how the design of the car has changed over the years. Innovations that revolutionized the world. We can even see what the automobile did to society because of how easily it allowed people to travel.

I don’t think there is anything else in our history that has been so well documented, with annual visual representations (new models each year) and we can continue to watch history be made.

No one wants to admit it, but these brand-new 2025 vehicles will become classics. Sixteen year olds today, wishing they could own a 2025 Supra, Mustang or whatever, will inevitably want them again when they turn 36.

Automotive museums, car shows, cruises, and driving events are really important to bring all the different generations of automotive enthusiasts together. This is how we can keep automotive history alive.

The Classic Car Club of America shares their bit of history as one of the museums represented on the Gilmore campus. I’m still waiting for the right opportunity to be able to visit Gilmore and have enough time to spend visiting all the museums.

Motorcycles are a niche part of the automotive timeline I also find fascinating. I enjoy riding motorcycles and seeing all the different kinds, just like cars. I wish I could have them all. 😉

Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum is a museum where you can see all kinds of vintage bikes. The museum is located inside the old Seaba Station, which was built in 1921, so the building itself is a piece of history.

You can go down so many different paths of automotive history. You may find some aspects of automotive history much more fascinating than someone else’s and vice versa.

Automotive museums are no different. I created the Automotive Museum Guide because I realized how much variety there is and if you were interested in visiting one museum, chances are you’d be interested in visiting another.

The Ultimate Driving Museum is a niche museum made possible by the BMW Car Club of America Foundation. Every year the museum completely changes with a new theme. Two years ago it was BMW motorcycles, last year it was Mini’s, and this year it is all about Alpina.

You do not have to be a BMW fan to enjoy this museum. You will learn and experience just a snipit of a specific segment of automotive history. The catch is, you only have one season to experience it, before it’s gone.

Do you want to read the textbook or do you want to go on a field trip? Everyone in school would prefer the field trip over reading the textbook. I would argue, the memories made on that field trip have stuck around a lot longer than some random chapter in a textbook.

Visit the museums, learn the history and make those memories.

Have a great week!

SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S 3 AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS.

Plan your next trip, discover your new favorite, or find the nearest museum

 Sean Mathis
 Creator of Automotive Museum Guide
Founder of Miles Through Time Automotive Museum

 Follow me @   

P.S. Make sure you follow AMG on Facebook and join the FB Group to see what’s going on at all the museums.

Last week was amazing, getting to spend time with peers and friends at The Petersen. Having the opportunity to view some private collections, like the Singleton Collection, a portion of Philip Serafin’s (big fan), and Jay Leno’s.

In 2016, I was 32 years old and had two automotive museums under my belt. I lived in Mooresville, NC, the capital of NASCAR so naturally I made my way over to the NASCAR Museum and Memory Lane Museum because it was there next to where I was buying a trailer to move away.

I’ve always been a big car guy, but for whatever reason, automotive museums just weren’t a part of my life. That is, of course, until 2017, when, out of nowhere, I founded Miles Through Time Automotive Museum.

Fast-forward 8 years and I have visited almost 100 automotive museums in North America. I found myself on the board of the National Association for Automobiles and the World Forum For Motor Museums. 

I’ve even helped newer automotive museums create their own brands and online presences. I never planned any of this, but this is my life now. I intend to do everything in my power to ensure the longevity and success of the museum I founded and do everything within my power to help all the other museums.

One thing I noticed right away when I started to dive into the automotive museum world, is that there are so many variations. There are so many different ways to present an automotive museum and there is no right or wrong way, because there are so many variables.

This week I want to share with you some examples of completely different types of “automotive” museums. The very first one I was going to share was the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, but unfortunately they are permanently closed. This is a good example of why I send these emails.

So instead, I’ll share the American Classic Motorcycle Museum. I have visited this museum, and I will admit I almost didn’t go in. If you didn’t already know there was a motorcycle collection upstairs in this country diner, you’d have no clue. 

You’ve heard the term hole-in-the-wall restaurant? For me, that usually means its a little place, not fancy, but it’s good. That is what this museum is like.

The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing is another unique example. This museum sits on 40 acres overlooking wooded hills and a racetrack. If you’re like me, that was enough to sell you. The museum is constantly bringing in historic cars to display so you never know what you might see.

The Tucson Military Vehicle Museum is a newbie. If you like seeing military vehicles, this is the place for you. You’re going to see tanks, big trucks, Willy’s and everything else the military has used over the decades.

Honorable mention this week in Tucson as well is the Tucson Auto Museum for officially opening in their new location. I got to visit the old location, but now it looks like I have a few more reasons to visit Tucson.

Have a great week!

SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK’S 3 AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUMS.

Plan your next trip, discover your new favorite, or find the nearest museum

 Sean Mathis
 Creator of Automotive Museum Guide
Founder of Miles Through Time Automotive Museum

 Follow me @   

P.S. Make sure you follow AMG on Facebook and join the FB Group to see what’s going on at all the museums.