Jeep Museum and Learning Center

Many of you may know Brian Hainer. His screen name here and on the 2A Page is "metalshaper". Brian is a consummate Jeep historian and restorer. I have been to his Connecticut shop many times and I have seen much of his work. I have also seen many of his rare Jeeps. In fact, a few years back I had posted photos of what is believed to be the first CJ-5 ever produced. The bottom line here is that Brian intends to create a Jeep museum. The museum will be a working museum, with practical classes on restoration of these fine vehicles (rebuilding transmissions, transfer cases, engines, metalwork, etc). The reason for this long post is that Brian wants to gauge the general interest in his museum/workshop project. Of course, Brian is putting up the land; his vehicles; his Jeep literature and memorabilia collection; all of his tools and equipment; and - most importantly - his time in teaching the next generation his extensive Jeep-related knowledge and world class restoration skills. At this point, Brian is looking for feedback from the Jeep community. This project is quite a large undertaking which he may not be able to handle all by himself. Ultimately, this is a great opportunity for all of us to help make this a reality. Please chime in with your comments.

 

That sounds really cool! Where would the museum be? I think for the museum to work it would need to be close to other attractions of the same sort, such as military memorabilia. It would really be neat to be able to attend clinics that teach mechanical skills on the vehicles that we love! I for one would make a trip to see it

 

Sounds awesome! If they had such a place close by I'd be all over it!

 

The location would be in East Haddam, Connecticut. Brian has already begun excavating the site in preparation for the new facility. It will be a multi-level building with a hands-on learning/restoration center, along with his huge collection of Jeep literature, toys, manuals, vehicles, etc., on the second floor. Another words, Jeep heaven. Chime in one and all. Brian is trying to guage the interest of this project, so now is the time to speak up.

 

That sounds great! Unfortunately its pretty far away from me...

 

On the other coast, but I would love to make the pilgrimage some day.

 

I'd be interested. It is a long way from me but if I was in the area, I'd stop by. If he offered a class I needed, I'd love to come take one. A week long class in jeep/metal fabrication with welders and all the tools, I might even come up special for that. Or a class that taught me how to make a top for my CJ6. That would be fantastic. I'd definitely be interested in that.

 

Sounds awesome. Is he hiring? Where would i send a resume'? My only concern is that, it seems to me the younger generation's interest in these older vehicles is waning. It's true there are youngsters out there who like the old stuff, mostly the off spring of existing motor heads, JEEPers, bikers, etc. But, I believe the numbers are dwindling. Perhaps, all the more reason for such a museum.

 

I am the older generation, but this is something I would love to participate in.

 

He needs to get together with Dave from ewillys. Dave is also into doing a museum.

 

This is Dave from eWillys.

I have spent a ton of time visiting museums and researching them online, wondering how to create a museum that survives long term. I think to do that, you have to engage the average person that knows little about your topic. When that visitor leaves, they should be telling themselves 1) I had fun, 2) I learned something about the topic I never knew, 3) I can't wait to share this place with my friends.

So, for example, what makes a small museum like Tinkertown in New Mexico (http://tinkertown.com) continue to attract and excite visitors? My wife loved the place and can't wait to share it with me. It captured her imagination and she still talks about it.

Another good example of a small museum that works is the one at Boys Town, in Omaha. It's mostly words and pictures of the history of Boys Town, yet the arrangement, the size and the composition creates an engaging experience whether you are up close reading the information or standing back and browsing.

Contrast that with the millions invested in the recently opened America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA (even the name is boring). We visited that place this year and had a completely forgettable experience. Mostly, it's just cars parked in a garage-like setting with minimal information that visitors browse as if visiting a old zoo. Though there is a small theme that relates to Le May collecting the cars and amassing, at one time, the largest collection in the world, that story starts and stops at the entrance. It just didn't work well for us.

So, my initial recommendations are
1) Visit museums of all kinds and learn what works for you and what doesn't
2) Define a theme or story that helps people engage with their experience. What defines the scope of the jeep story you want to tell? The story of the jeep is an international one that expands broadly among fields of work and play.
3) Provide utility or uniqueness: visitors should have an experience or be able to do something at your facility that is unique unlike any other museum. What's the cool factor?

I know these aren't specific suggestions, but these are guidelines I used to develop my overarching ideas, which have filtered down into specific strategies on how to build what I want to build.

My personal approach to a museum (and I don't really like to use that term for what I want to build) is the following: from fighting, to farming, to racing, to carrying coffee beans these vehicles have been used broadly and modified shamelessly. That's the scope of the story I plan to tell. However, layering on top of that general scope, I think I've developed a unique way to tell that story and engage visitors to participate in the process, but it's not something I've discussed publicly yet.

If I can be of any help, feel free to contact me anytime at d@ewillys.com.

- Dave

 

Hi Everybody

I would love to go see some old Willys Jeep stuff in a Museum setting. I love the history of the Willys company and their involvement in WW II. As I look at it...."If it weren't for the Willys Jeep we would all be eating rice (the Japanese) and drinking warm beer (the Germans)".....Most folks don't realize where we (The USA) would be if we had not won that war...This country would be totally different today.....

Just my 2 cents

MikeC

 

I think it is great. I considered going up to Ohio at one point to see that Walter Kaiser museum in Toledo.......untill all that closed and got torn down. As far as I know, that was the only "jeep museum". I wonder what happened to all those Jeeps.

 

Don't forget about the "Learning Center" part of this. Brian possesses a great skill set. He knows plenty about these vehicles. To be able to attend a session detailing the repair and restoration of item like the T-90; a Dana 44, etc., is something that is virtually unavailable elsewhere. The whole concept is a just great idea.

 

Easy Haddam is a great location. I'm not far away, so in biased, but there are many attractions nearby. Couple of casinos, the Nautilus, the Steam Train museum, etc... I would definitely go there.