National Museum of Transportation

National Museum of Transportation
Nate Beal · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	National Museum of Transportation
Location	St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Type	Transport museum
Founder	Fox Theatre (St. Louis), St. Louis Zoo, City Museum

National Museum of Transportation. The National Museum of Transportation is a private transportation museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, showcasing a vast collection of locomotives, aircraft, cars, and other vehicles, including those from General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. The museum's collection includes vehicles from Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, and Porsche, as well as boats from Chris-Craft and Gar Wood. Visitors can explore exhibits on rail transport and aviation, featuring Amtrak, Union Pacific Railroad, and Delta Air Lines.

● History

The National Museum of Transportation was founded in 1964 by a group of St. Louis businessmen, including Anheuser-Busch and Monsanto executives, with the goal of preserving the region's rich transportation history, which includes the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the California Trail, and the Oregon Trail. The museum's early collection included steam locomotives from Baldwin Locomotive Works and American Locomotive Company, as well as streetcars from St. Louis Streetcar System and Cincinnati Street Railway. Over the years, the museum has expanded to include vehicles from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, including tanks from General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin. The museum has also hosted exhibits on space exploration, featuring NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin.

● Collections

The National Museum of Transportation has an extensive collection of over 200 vehicles, including cars from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, as well as trucks from Peterbilt and Kenworth. The museum's collection also includes buses from Greyhound Lines and Trailways, as well as motorcycles from Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. The museum's locomotive collection features Union Pacific Big Boy, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, while the aircraft collection includes Boeing 707, Douglas DC-3, and North American P-51 Mustang. The museum also has a collection of boats and ships, including USS Missouri (BB-63) and USS Iowa (BB-61), as well as submarines from United States Navy.

● Exhibits

The National Museum of Transportation features a variety of exhibits, including the Transportation History Gallery, which showcases the development of transportation in United States, with exhibits on Conestoga wagon, stagecoach, and covered wagon. The museum also has an aviation gallery featuring Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and Amelia Earhart, as well as exhibits on space exploration, including Apollo 11 and Space Shuttle program. The museum's locomotive exhibit features steam locomotives from Baldwin Locomotive Works and American Locomotive Company, as well as diesel locomotives from General Motors and Electro-Motive Corporation. Visitors can also explore exhibits on cars, including Ford Model T, Chevrolet Bel Air, and Porsche 911.

● Facilities

The National Museum of Transportation is located on a 42-acre site in St. Louis, Missouri, and features a variety of facilities, including the Transportation History Gallery, the Aviation Gallery, and the Locomotive Hall. The museum also has a library and archives, which include materials from General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler, as well as railroad and aviation companies. The museum's facilities are available for event rentals, including weddings and corporate events, and offer catering services from Anheuser-Busch and Monsanto. The museum also has a gift shop featuring items from Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, and Porsche.

● Education_and_Programs

The National Museum of Transportation offers a variety of education programs for students and adults, including tours and workshops on transportation history, aviation, and locomotives. The museum also offers summer camps and scouting programs, featuring activities from Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA. The museum's education programs are designed to meet Missouri state education standards and are aligned with Common Core State Standards Initiative. The museum also partners with local schools and universities, including Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University, to offer internships and fellowships.

● Conservation_Efforts

The National Museum of Transportation is committed to conservation efforts, including the preservation of historic vehicles and artifacts. The museum's conservation team works to restore and maintain the museum's collection, using techniques and materials from 3M and DuPont. The museum also participates in national conservation efforts, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The museum's conservation efforts are supported by grants from National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as donations from individuals and organizations, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler. The museum is also a member of the American Alliance of Museums and the International Council of Museums. Category:Transportation museums in the United States