I enjoy the vast array of automotive museums all over the country. One day, hopefully, sooner than later, I’ll also be able to experience some automotive museums abroad.

It is amazing to think that, until 2014, I only ever owned one vehicle at a time, which was my daily driver. Then, in 2014, my dad gave me my grandpa’s 1959 Cadillac. I was 30 years old and all of a sudden owned one of the best designed cars from the 50s.

The car is beautiful, but the history means even more. My dad was just a little kid crawling around the back seat when my Pop was behind the wheel. I never got to see my grandpa drive the car since as early as I can remember, the car was always covered in his shop.

Although I have no memories of my grandpa talking about the car or even seeing him with the car, I knew it was special just because of how he kept the car for all those decades.

My grandpa passed away in 2004, and for 6 years I tried to get the car from my grandma. I tried to buy it and do anything I could just to ensure I would be able to continue to care for it.

No matter how I presented my plea to my grandma, she refused to do anything with that car. All of my grandpa’s other vehicles were sold off, except his daily driver, which my cousin was given immediately.

I feared for my Pop’s 59 Cadillac. Alas, my grandma made sure it remained exactly where my Pop left it until she passed away 10 years later. Of course, 10 years later I had moved to the opposite side of the country, but when my dad called and said he wanted to make sure I got the car, I figured out how to get it transported across the country and made room for it in my garage.

My Pop’s 59 Caddy was my first introduction into the classic car world. At least as far as drivable cars goes. I still have a sweet spot for my 56 F100 I never got to drive.

After two summers of car shows, I was burnt out, and I started to come up with the idea that would eventually become Miles Through Time Automotive Museum in 2017.

After starting Miles Through Time with no money, no collection of any kind and no experience, I put as much time into figuring it all out as I could. This is why the Automotive Museum Guide exists today. It is a byproduct of my research.

In 2020, Miles Through Time was moved to its current location and pretty much started over from scratch. Only this time I wasn’t by myself, and instead of one car there were about 7.

In November 2021, I created Vintage Garage Antiques (again not knowing what I was doing) and was able to double the square footage of the museum. 2023 was a big year. We were able to double the size of the museum again and expanded the antique store. That is also the year I was asked to join the board of the National Association of Automobile Museums. (NAAM)

Most recently, I joined another board, this time the World Forum for Motor Museums. I guess you could say I’ve gone global, and I really look forward to being able to visit some automotive museums all over the world. 

You never know what the future has in mind for you or what might be behind the door or around the corner. For that reason, I typically try to just go for it, even if I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ll either figure it out or at least know I tried.

Sometimes, walking into an unassuming museum can turn into a pleasant surprise. The Washington County Rural Heritage Museum is probably a place you’ve never heard of, unless you’ve visited the area. And yet, within the county museum, there is an amazing car museum.

The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum​​​​​​​ is another local museum you may have never heard of before, and you’d be missing out on visiting the beautifully restored 1890 railroad depot.

There are so many varieties of automotive museums. I suggest staying away from the internet’s “Top lists.” The museums on those lists are fantastic options, but the only represent a tiny fraction of amazing places to visit.

The Mid-America Museum of Aviation & Transportation is another option for you to visit. The variety of automotive artifacts on display should pique your interest and the aircraft are a definite bonus.

Don’t worry about where the museum is or what they do or don’t have on display, just visit if you can and experience what they have to offer. You never know what you’ll see, what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet.

If you can’t visit them in person, explore their website or follow them on social media. There are still ways to connect and discover new things, even if physically walking into the building isn’t an option.

Safe travels!

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

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