Dreams of
finding an “old car in a barn” are a daily
reality here. Nestled on 90 landscaped acres
in restored historic barns are nearly 200
extraordinary vehicles spanning more than
100 years of automotive heritage. Here you
will find exhibits ranging from a 1899
Locomobile, to the classic Duesenberg or the
elusive Tucker '48, and from the Model T to
the muscle cars of the 60s.
The
Gilmore Car Museum began in 1963 as the
hobby of Donald S. Gilmore when his wife,
Genevieve, gave him an antique car for his
birthday —a 1920 Pierce-Arrow “project car.”
With the help of some friends, the auto was
placed under a tent and a full restoration
followed. The hobby soon grew into a
collection of over 30 automobiles. Mr.
Gilmore purchased 90 acres of farm property
and had several historic barns dismantled
piece by piece and moved to the site. It was
Mr. Gilmore’s wife who suggested the idea of
turning the collection into a museum where
future generations could enjoy the restored
cars for years to come. The Gilmores
established a non-profit foundation, and
opened the museum to the public for the
first time on Sunday, July 31, 1966. Donald
Gilmore passed away in 1979, and Mrs.
Gilmore in 1990, but the legacy they began
continues to grow.
Today, the
site includes eight historic barns, a
re-created 1930s service station, a small
town train station, and nearly three miles
of paved roads. It isn’t uncommon for guest
to catch a glimpse of one of the vintage
cars or the authentic London double-decker
bus in motion. And if you visit on a weekend
or special show, don’t be surprised if the
driver asks you to hop in for a nostalgic
road trip! Besides experiencing the
wonderful collection of automobiles, you
might find yourself reliving (or even making
a few) childhood memories viewing the nearly
75 vintage pedal cars on exhibit. One of
North America’s largest displays of
automotive hood ornaments and name badges
can also be found in the combined
collections of The Gilmore and CCCA museums.
The Museum
is a founding member of the National
Association of Automobile Museums, a member
of the World Forum of Motor Museums, the
Michigan Association of Museums, and the
American Association of Museums
Arriving From
DETROIT OR CHICAGO traveling on I-94
• Exit I-94 at Exit 85 – Galesburg
• Travel north on 35th street to the traffic
light at M-96.
• Turn left (west) onto M-96 and follow for
one mile to 33rd street.
• Turn right (north) and follow 33rd street
for approximately 6 miles to the traffic
light in the village of Richland.
• Continue straight thru the light (33rd
Street becomes M-43)
• Follow M-43 (north) 6 miles (winding
around Gull Lake) to Hickory Road.
• Turn right (east) onto Hickory Road. (Note
several large red barns)
• Museum entrance is on the right.
Arriving From US-131 to North of
Kalamazoo
• Exit US-131 at Exit 49A – Plainwell
• Follow highway M-89 east 12 miles to stop
sign at M-43
• Turn left (north) on M-43 and continue for
5 miles to Hickory Road
• Turn right (east) onto Hickory Road. (Note
several large red barns)
• Museum entrance is on the right.
Arriving From LANSING AREA
• Follow highway M-43 southwest thru
Hastings
• Continue approximately 5 miles south of
Delton to Hickory Road.
• Turn left (east) onto Hickory Road. (Note
several large red barns)
• Museum entrance is on the right.
