The Indiana Region, CCCA’s February meeting was held in the historic Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis. After a delicious dinner and dessert, talks were heard from Shawn Miller and John Rupp about two different programs they are involved with.
Shawn spoke to us about the museum that the family of Norb Schaefer is planning at 365 West 15th Street (at Senate). This building built around 1902 has been the home of the 1903 White Steam Wagon the former Empire and Sargeant Plants. The former home of Marion (19-04), Empire (1908-1919), Federal truck, Overland chassis is now undergoing a transformation that will turn it into the Indianapolis Auto Museum.
The Schaefer family and Museum Board are planning to turn this site into a combined non-profit museum, restaurant, and vintage racecar restoration shop. They are planning a 90-minute experience, which they expect to open sometime in 2002, with rotating exhibits in the 30,000 square foot area. We may expect to see fund-raisers like a Concours, loan exhibitions, memberships for sale, and a need for volunteers. Storage space will also be available for rent.
Shawn brought architect drawings showing the layout of the museum as well as showing what will be done to the outside. When completed, this should be a great addition to the automobile history here in Indianapolis.
John described the Auto History Center that he is in the process of establishing. The Center will be headquartered in the Stutz Building (thanks to Turner Woodard). John is in the process of establishing a non-profit tax category. There will be no cars at Automotive History Center. Its goals are to survey all automotive-related history sites in the state with photographic and written records available to the public, oral history of persons still available, and hopefully an archeological dig at the Kokomo Haynes-Apperson plant. The archeological dig may not be possible in the near future. As far as can be determined, there has been no other research of this type done anywhere so this should be a very interesting project. The Center would then be open to all interested in the history of the Indiana built automobiles. Interested persons may contact John at 1048 N. Rochester, Indianapolis. 46222 [jrupp@usa.net]
Members attending were the Jim & Pam Ray, Hugh & Sally McKnight, Bloor & Molly Redding. Gene & Sally Perkins, Bob Titlow & Helen Vogel, Bill & Carolyn Greer, Fred Salmon, John Klein, Don McCallum, Jay Kolb, Bill Lurvey, and Ruth Dougherty.
Guests welcomed were Noble & Novella Beck, Buford Hall & guest, and Don & Shirley Wilson.