story by GLENDA WINDERS
Planning a visit to the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart? What should you see first? And which are the exhibits that must not be missed? We asked the person in charge for answers to these questions, and he gave us the scoop.
Jose Rodriguez, museum director, says one of the most popular exhibits is the Model T towing an 1913 Earl Travel Trailer.
“This is the oldest known non-tent travel trailer in the world,” he said. “Together, they mark the birth of the modern RV lifestyle — when travelers first traded canvas tents for rolling comfort.”
The 1931 Mae West Chevrolet Housecar, one of the first true celebrity motorhomes, was custom-built for Paramount Studios to give to the star when she left Vaudeville to perform in movies. The glamorous car features velvet seats and a small dressing room where she could relax between takes.
The Spartan Aircraft Co., which once made World War II bombers, built the 1955 Spartan Imperial Mansion, one of the most luxurious, top-of-the-line vintage mobile homes of the mid-1950s. It features an all-metal exterior and a high-end, fully furnished birchwood interior.
Rodriguez said the 1937 Hunt House Car is one of the museum’s hidden gems that surprise and delight visitors. Cinematographer J. Roy Hunt created the car so that he would have a place to stay during remote photo shoots. Based on aircraft design and materials, this model was the first to have a shower and fold-away toilet.
Another jewel is the 1916 Telescoping Apartment, which was built on a 1915 Model T chassis and sports ingenious fold-out and slide-out sections for sleeping and cooking. The truck’s engine heats water for use in the shower.
The 1939 Charles Lindbergh Travel Trailer is the one the aviator and his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, used for travel and as their office. Its lightweight aluminum exterior and all-wood interior give it a streamlined look, and its two axles allow it to stand freely without supporting jacks. Charles wrote much of “The Spirit of St. Louis” here, while Anne completed “The Steep Ascent.”
For more information visit: thervmhhalloffame.org
