Permanent

Driving After Sundown: The Evolution of Headlights

Jan 6, 2022

From the first days of the automotive era in the 1880s, drivers (and passengers!) wanted to see and be seen as they motored about at night. They also needed to ensure that the glare from their lights would not blind oncoming drivers. They wanted to stay on the road and avoid anything that would ruin their trip. It turns out motoring lighting challenges are harder to solve than one might think.

To explore night driving’s innovative history, the AACA Museum, Inc. has launched a new permanent exhibit titled “Driving After Sundown: The Evolution of Headlights.” Located in the Museum’s Main Gallery, this exhibit delivers a unique hands-on interactive multi-media experience. Using an adult learning approach, the display shows how lighting technologies evolved over the past 140 years giving drivers usable light while minimizing the effects of glare on oncoming vehicles. The exhibit includes lighting effects from the days of candles, oil, and acetylene to today’s modern lighting.

Museum of Bus Transportation

Jan 4, 2020

Don’t miss the nation’s largest display of full-sized vintage buses on view in the Richard O. Ullman Family Foundation Gallery on the Museum’s lower gallery. The permanent exhibit includes the antique bus used in the movie “Forrest Gump.” Also, a bus from the same fleet used in the “Speed” movies is on display.

The motorbus industry occupies an important place in everyday life. In rural areas and the thousands of towns and cities across the nation, buses provide personal transportation for many individuals. Buses carry more people daily than all other public modes of transportation combined.

The building and evolution of the bus and motorcoach industry provide a fascinating story of invention and entrepreneurial spirit. Join us to explore the wonderful world of antique buses at the Museum of Bus Transportation, a valuable part of America’s transportation experience.

Remembering Road Maps Display

Aug 12, 2019

In today’s digital world, we’ve become accustomed to getting where we’re headed by pulling up MapQuest or Google Maps on our phone or by using a GPS that guides us to our destination; however, that hasn’t always been the case. Since the advent of automobiles, motorists have needed to know how to get to their destination. For decades travelers have relied on paper maps.

Maps were given away by local gas stations, convenience stores, tire companies, banks, tourist bureaus, chambers of commerce, rental car companies, and many other businesses. Many of these businesses provided these maps as a form of advertising to get customers to visit their attraction or gas station brand.

About the Road Map Colletors Association

Hershey’s Kissmobile Cruiser

Aug 12, 2019

Have you ever seen a 12-foot tall Hershey’s Kiss? You can see it at the Museum! Actually, you can see three giant Kisses on the famous Hershey’s Kissmobile. The Hershey Company donated its original vehicle to the Museum, and it is now part of our permanent collection

The Kissmobile cruiser is a 12-foot tall, 26-foot long custom-made vehicle resembling three Hershey’s Kisses. Since the creation of Hershey’s Kissmobile in 1997, the cruiser traveled over 250,000 miles and distributed over 2,000,000 milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses samples. According to the Hershey Company, the mission of the Kissmobile was to create a connection with Hershey’s consumers and raise donations and awareness of the Children’s Miracle Network. While on the road, all money raised locally stayed in the community and benefited the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

Tucker Automobiles: The Cammack Tucker Collection

Jul 2, 2019

The Museum’s Cammack Gallery is home to the world’s most extensive Tucker collection. The gallery, named for Tucker historian and collector David Cammack, displays an interactive exhibit chronicling Preston Tucker’s vision, determination, history, and struggles to build the “Car of Tomorrow.”
Only 51 originals
Through his Chicago-based start-up, Tucker set out to revolutionize the automobile industry. He designed and built 51 innovative ’48 vehicles unmatched by other offerings on the post-war American market. The Cammack Gallery is home to Tucker models #1001, #1022, #1026, along with the Tucker factory test chassis and engine prototypes.

From Roads to Rails

Jul 2, 2019

See award winning model train displays

An interactive adventure awaits at the Museum’s Roads to Rails model railroad display. Find locomotive fascination for the first time, or take a trip down memory lane as you cruise through time.

We allow YOU, the visitor, to be in control of many operable features!

Thomas the Train · Amusement Park attractions

Freight Station · Service Station · Fire Station

Sawmill · Lumber Yard · Construction Site Excavators