Interactive Experiences Await Everyone
at the New Automotive Hall of Fame
DEARBORN, MI, July 10, 1997 – Entertaining and enlightening stories of individual accomplishment await every member of the family at the all-new Automotive Hall of Fame opening August 16 in Dearborn, Michigan.
Filled with things to see and do, the new Automotive Hall of Fame inspires visitors with stories about the people whose work changed our lives.
"The new Hall of Fame is much different than the car collections found in many museums throughout the world," says Automotive Hall of Fame President Gene McKinney. "It is a true people place."
The mission of the Automotive Hall of Fame is to celebrate accomplished individuals in the worldwide motor vehicle industry for the purpose of motivating, inspiring and encouraging others, especially young people, to accomplish more in their own work and lives.
"We are the only visitor attraction in the world that represents the global motor vehicle industry," McKinney adds. "Yet visitors do not have to be interested in cars and trucks to enjoy the experience, which is about people, not things."
The Hall of Fame visiting experience begins in the Henry Ford II Lobby. A unique display invites visitors to select a card that best describes their own view of themselves – such as innovator, problem-solver, motivator or inventor – then to use that card to find out who in the Hall of Fame is most like them.
Visitors are then introduced to Andy, a 10-year-old boy, in the Hall of Fame's introductory surround-sound, high-impact video presentation. Andy then becomes their "host" helping to personalize their visit. The entertaining eight-minute video prepares guests for an entertaining and enlighting visiting experience that can be completed in as little as 90 minutes.
Following the video presentation, the screen disappears to reveal the Soichiro Honda Atrium, site of special changing exhibits. The Honda Atrium leads to the Hall of Fame Dedication Center, which contains a 12-feet high, 65-feet long mural that celebrates the impact of the motor vehicle on the world's cultures from the late 1800s into the future. The mural is the largest piece of automotive fine art since the Diego Rivera mural in the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The Exhibit Hall contains dozens of exhibits relating to accomplished individuals in the world-wide motor vehicle industry. The experience begins with man's dreams of mobility in the form of a working metal sculpture entitled "Aeropede," which can be operated by visitors. It ends with visions of the future of motor vehicles. Real people behind names like Benz, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mack and Toyoda and their accomplishments are revealed to visitors.
Examples of the dozens of exhibits include: a 1921White truck recreated so that visitors can step-up and see what was inside a sleeper cab during the early days of long distance trucking; an exercise with hands and tools concealed from view so that visitors can feel the challenges facing blind inventor Ralph Teetor, or a Honda Formula One racing car that scored Honda's and Goodyear's very first Grand Prix victory.
Additional Automotive Hall of Fame features are a cafe for light snacks and beverages and a store.
The $10-million Hall of Fame was funded via a Capital Campaign supported by the international motor vehicle industry, the State of Michigan, foundations and individuals. This is the organization's second permanent home since its founding in 1939.
Automotive Hall of Fame hours of operation and admission: through October, daily, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; November through Memorial Day, daily except Mondays,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission, $6 adult, $5.50 senior 62+, $3 youth; address, 21400 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, Michigan 48124; telephone (313) 240-4000.
A complete media packet is available for reporters interested in more information about the new Automotive Hall of Fame. Call Bob Stockton or fax (313) 271-2038.
21400 Oakwood Boulevard
Dearborn, MI 48121 USA
Telephone (313) 240-4000
Fax (313) 240-8641
