National
Studebaker Museum
The Studebaker museum consists of
three floors. The main level displays Studebaker history and vehicles
from the 1800s to 1934. The upper level displays vehicles from 1934
onward. The lower level displays military vehicles and equipment and
additional vehicles in "viewable storage" (stacked on lifts but still
viewable). A secondary area on the main level displays family history of
the Studebakers and the Olivers, South Bend makers of the Oliver Chilled
Plow and other farm equipment.
The collection
Most of the museum's collection was part of the historic company's
collection, although vehicles continue to be added from time to time. It
includes more than 70 vehicles and numerous photos and displays as well
as huge archive of photos and documents not on display. Although the
collection focuses on the century-long history of the Studebaker
corporation and the wagons, cars, trucks, and military vehicles it
produced, the collection also includes a variety of other vehicles and
products made locally.
Highlights of the collection include:
* A broad variety of Studebaker production vehicles and concept cars
* Some Packard production and concept cars, reflecting Studebaker's
merger with Packard
* The carriage that Studebaker built for President Abraham Lincoln,
along with the carriages of several other U.S. presidents and
dignitaries
* A Studebaker Conestoga wagon of the sort used by pioneers to cross the
Great Plains
* A 1902 Studebaker Electric
* Studebaker military vehicles built during World War I and World War II
* Several Hummer vehicles including the HUMMWV (Humm-vee), which are
manufactured by South Bend-based AM General at its plant in the adjacent
city of Mishawaka, Indiana