Elkhart, IN has long been known to be the RV capital both in good times and bad. But did you know that it was also home to the RV and Motor home Hall of Fame? Spending a few delightful hours in this precious museum will surely make you appreciate how far the motor home industry has traveled.
The Hall of Fame not only features traditional RV’s but also trailers, tent trailers, vintage RV accessories and memorabilia, exhibits and publications over the years. Upon entering the museum you are greeted by a host or hostess that will explain the museum’s orientation and featured exhibits. You then can head into a wonderful exhibit that is set up just like a campground loop with each site being a different RV’s dating from 1913 to the 1970′s.
The exhibits complete with photos of people and camping was like can not help but make you smile. How about camping in a long dress or riding along on wooden wheels? We complain about dust, traffic and road noise now but just imagine what it was like 70 years ago. Can you also imagine what the national parks must have been like in their early days without all the RV’s lined up waiting to get in. Just you, your RV and nature!
As you wind around the camping loop in the museum you can’t help but focus on such wonderful items as a 1935 Bowlus Road Chief, the inspiration of the now famous Airstream brand. As you peek inside each of the displays you see remnants of family life on vacation in their motor homes. You see dishes, pots and pans, games, clothing and shoes all reminiscent of a family enjoying a few moments in the great outdoors all thoroughly enjoying their version of the motor home.
As you proceed upstairs you will notice tributes to the publications and people who have advanced the motor home industry. They include invoators, designers, distributors and organizations. There is an area designated for suppliers and how the items in your motor home have evolved. Little by little year after year the motorhome industry continued to grow. There were good times, and bad times such as the Great Depression and just lately in 2008, but the industry although changed has survived.
The RV/MH is a charming museum, chocked full of history and memories. It is a special place that all RV’ers should take some time to visit while in Elkhart. You will be pleasantly surprised by the rich detail, history and evolution of the motor homes on the road today!
