AACA MUSEUM INC

Public education is an integral component of the museum's mission and linked to its activities. The educational program begins with the wide variety of cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles displayed (approximately 150 in the main building) that range from the late 1800s through the 1990s. It is supported by historically accurate backdrops that populate each decade scene in the main gallery. Additionally, smaller themed exhibitions may be found throughout all three floors, including two wheeled vehicles, a world class display of approximately 500 radiator caps and hood ornaments arranged chronologically and geographically by country of origin, license plate collections, themed and grouped two-dimensional artwork and stand-alone interactive units placed throughout our space. All exhibited items are supported by descriptive labels and other interpretive devices. The museum is also staffed by trained volunteer gallery guides or docents who enhance the visitors' experience and protect the collections. Recently, the museum added two new changing galleries, which will be discussed below and collaborated with several collector organizations to produce temporary and semi-permanent displays on specific automotive subject matter. A current focus is an extremely informative case and wall exhibit mounted by the roadmap collectors' association. This display also includes an audio-visual component; the entire display is updated approximately twice per year and also received an additional cosmetic upgrade in 2024, with new graphic panels and signage and visitor take-away materials.some additional current educational features include:1. Williams-clyne gateway gallery: this newly converted space serves as the public entrance for the museum. It was redesigned to resemble the interior of a car dealership from the mid-twentieth century. We make it available to national automobile clubs free of charge for a six-month period where they can use the space to promote the museum's educational mission while showcasing members' vehicles and relevant promotional materials. The space is well received by our visitors and very popular with clubs; it is currently booked for the next two to three years. Two nationally based car clubs produced displays in this space over the course of 2024.2. Lower-level gallery children's' interactive area: the museum maintains a hands-on educational activity area where younger visitors may engage in a variety of projects that will teach them about transportation history, vehicle design and related topics. A photo op with an historic vehicle is inclded. The museum updates this area annually.3. Valentine diner: the lower-level gallery houses an authentic and fully restored 1941 valentine diner that was originally operated in wichita, kansas before being transported east by a collector who donated it to the museum. Volunteers restored this artifact and it is now filled with original equipment and interpretive signs and hands-on materials that will transport visitors back to the 1950s. The granddaughter of the diner's original proprietor visited the museum in 2022 and provided first-hand accounts of its operation in kansas, which were added to the building's interpetation. Younger visitors can participate in hand-on activites in this historic setting, leaving with a souenir grill cook's cap.4. Behind the scenes vehicle storage building tour: the museum initiated a new program several years ago that takes visitors on an optional guided "behind the scenes" tour of our vehicle storage building. Located behind the main museum building, this structure is not readily visible and up until recently had not been open to the public. We now conduct seasonal guided "behind the scenes" tours of this annex that houses approximately 70 to 80 vehicles. A trained guide brings the area to life, while providing a background on the museum and explaining its plans for the future. The program is not continued through most of the year due to the installation of an h-vac system. Aproximately 500 guests participated in this program over the calender year receiving a specialized tour.5. Lebanon valley college partnership: the aaca museum continues to partner with lebanon valley college and their student-teachers to create an ongoing series of specific online learning modules focused on the automobile and how it relates to various courses. These learning modules are available to all at no charge via the museum's website. The museum also has a partnership program with the dauphin county vo-tech that brings high school students to the museum for hands on experience working on vintage vehicles. 6. Tours available for all age groups: the museum offers a wide range of tours for groups ranging from pre-kindergarten through seniors. School aged tours support state curriculum standards in history, english, math, economics, and science, and are presented by trained staff and volunteers and are specific to the age level of the group. Students visit the museum and learn by seeing and doing, the museum's specifically tailored programs make learning fun and active. These tours began to increase again in 2021 after a pause in 2020 and continued strong through 2024.7. Talks, lectures and demonstrations: as part of its adult education program and general public outreach, the museum sponsors talks with the museum curator and director, car collectors, and other experts throughout the year. Focused workshops, rallies, and programs augment changing exhibitions seasonally. Public programs include special vehicle displays, movies, music, gallery demonstrations, and other forms of special interpretation. Recently, the museum continues to focus on tucker automotive themed programs but has also begun a general automotive lecture series available roughly every other month that takes place both in person at the mueum and also online with advance registration. Topics in 2024 focused on a variety of subjects and were promoted through our website, email blasts and our printed newsletter, "reflections."8. Cooperative program with the pennsylvania college of technology. The museum has a long-standing partnership with the pennsylvania college of technology in williamsport, pa. The college has one of only a handful of institutions offering a degree in automotive restoration. The museum assisted with the development of the program's initial curriculum many years ago and has since maintained a bond with the school, frequently working on mutually beneficial projects, such as hosting students for internships and providing vehicles fordemonstrations and educational events. In return, the college has provided the restoration labor for a series of donated vehicles, which have offered valuable experience for the students. The college is currently restoring a custom bodied "stretch" chevrolet station wagon from the 1960s that was used at the milton hershey school in hershey, pa to transport students back and forth from their dorms to their classrooms and also around town. This partnership between all three non-profit organizations will result in the restoration of this extremely unique vehicle, which will then be displayed by the museum and used by the school periodically for special events. This relationship continued in 2024 and our chevrolet wagon remains at their facility.9. Annual museum car show and public outreach: the museum sponsors an antique automobile show each year, which is open to the general public. This event has been held for nearly 30 consecutive years. It typically includes a wide variety of hands on and educational activities for both children and adults. This year it again featured rides in several different antique cars. Each year the focus is a bit different to ensure a well-rounded experience for our visitors. Museum staff and volunteers routinely participate in community events with collections vehicles and a general information booth. This includes local and regional car shows, events sponsored by other non-profit organizations and the like. The museum annually attends national night out with an antique fire truck, police car or other first responder vehicle from our donated collection. Vehicles were also taken to the aaca fall meet in hersey for educational purposes and the museum attended the pennsylvania auto show as well as multiple concours d'elegance and other events across the state and beyond.