Driven by History: Special Interest Tours

Throughout April, embark on a journey through automotive history at the Gilmore Car Museum. Explore the rich legacy of the museum and discover a variety of captivating tours led by our dedicated staff members and knowledgeable docents. These expert guides, many of whom have been part of the museum for years, will bring the stories of classic cars and automotive innovation to life, offering a unique and engaging experience for all visitors.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

10 A.M.

Franklin: Roger Moffat will lead a tour of the many special characteristics of The Franklin Motor Car, from their legendary air-cooled engine to the wooden chassis as well as the many “H. H. Franklin Firsts.” Come and join us for the American aviators’ favorite automobiles and why they loved these magnificent cars.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

10 A.M.

DUST BOWL: Robin Nott will sing and tell the story of “America’s worst hard time,” the Dust Bowl from 1929 to 1939 in the great plains of America. Automobiles and trucks became homes for over three million American Dust Bowl refugees, as they made their exodus to find new homes. Included in the presentation will be songs from Woodie Guthrie’s “Dust Bowl Ballads” sung live, recounting the trials of their journey.

2:00 P.M.

THE EARLY DAYS OF MOTORING: Fred Colgren and Jay Follis will officiate as you tour through the Steam Barn/Museum of the Horseless Carriage. Here they will discuss the three modes of power during the era: steam, electric and gasoline, focusing on several special vehicles in the collection while experiencing the oldest cars in the museum.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

2:00 P.M.

MODEL A: John Burton will tour and discuss important characteristics of Model A. As the group tours the wonderful Model A Ford Foundation building, they will learn many new and interesting things relating to the Model A, Edsel Ford,

Thomas Edison and others.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

10 A.M.

DONALD GILMORE HISTORY AND OUR MUSEUM: The Donald Gilmore Story is a remarkable tale of good taste, history and leadership. Fred Colgren will meet the group in the Heritage Ballroom where we will view pictures of Donald Gilmore, his life and our museum history. We will then move through significant places in the museum as well as the outside Campus, ending up in the newly renovated

Carriage House and its wonderful history.

2:00 P.M.

SLOT CARS: The slot car story began in Kalamazoo and The Gilmore Car Museum is a show place for our own Red Barns Raceway. John Lacko will thrill and delight as you experience the joy of racing on a scale electric racetrack right here at the Gilmore Car Museum. Join us for a fun and experiential tour at the Red Barn Raceway.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

10 A.M.

HENRY LELAND/EDSEL FORD, THE LINCOLN/CADILLAC STORIES: Fred Colgren and Jay Follis will lead a tour of our Lincoln and Cadillac Buildings and focus on the tremendous contributions of Henry Leland and Edsel Ford. This story will lead us from Leland’s early Cadillac Engine through the mature years of Lincoln and Edsel’s phenomenal contributions.

2:00 P.M.

CCCA: John Hansen, Executive Director of the Classic Car Club of America, will discuss the Classic Era in the beautiful surroundings of the CCCA Museum. During the tour John will feature select cars which have interesting and important characteristics for the Classic Era.