Illinois

Discover Illinois Automotive Museums, Events, and History.

CentralIllinois

Beller Museum

The Beller Museum houses numerous collections of vehicles, tools, parts, and information designed to tell stories of how cars and trucks not only served their original owners but often evolved through several "lives." The vehicles include restored, originally...

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CentralIllinois

Historic Auto Attractions

Historic Auto Attractions is not only home to famous cars, but also a wide array of movie memorabilia. Some of those pieces include Marilyn Monroe’s nightgown, a sweater worn by Hollywood legend James Dean, and an outfit worn by Elvis Presley. In addition, a large...

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historic auto attractions
CentralIllinois

Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum

The Pontiac-Oakland Museum located in Pontiac, Illinois houses a collection of vehicles and memorabilia that spans the history of the Pontiac and Oakland car brands up until their departures from the manufacturing of vehicles.

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Pontiac Oakland Automobile Museum
CentralIllinois

Route 66 Hall of Fame museum

The Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum features thousands of artifacts and memorabilia related to Route 66 – The Mother Road.The Museum boasts: Friendly and knowledgeable guides Route 66 memorabilia from Hall of Fame members! Route 66 artist and icon, Bob Waldmire’s bus...

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Route 66 Hall of Fame museum

Discover Illinois Automotive Museums, Events, and History.

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ILLINOIS

Illinois is a Midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Nicknamed “the Prarie State,” it’s marked by farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands. Chicago, one of the largest cities in the U.S, is in the northeast on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s famous for its skyscrapers, such as sleek, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.

AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY

One company that seemed to have a great future with automobile models was the American Electric Vehicle Company from Chicago, IL. It was first shown at the 1899 New York Electrical Show with great public appeal. However, it had been making autmobiles since 1896. Montgomery Ward was one of its first customers. The American Electric automobile was the only car in American to win a gold medal at the Paris Exposition. In 1900, the company wanted to move to New York City to attract wealthier buyers and to expand its models. The move was a disastrous decision for it drove the company into bankruptcy and out of business in 1902, The factory was sold for $15,000.

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AACA Museum, Inc.

AACA Museum, Inc.

AACA Museum, Inc. at Hershey is a professionally staffed, collecting institution presenting semi-permanent and temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are supported by educational programs for school and community audiences. It sponsors workshops and other activities...

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