Gilmore Car Museum

The Gilmore Car Museum began in 1963 as the hobby of Donald S. Gilmore when his wife, Genevieve, gave him an antique car for his birthday —a 1920 Pierce-Arrow “project car.” With the help of some friends, the auto was placed under a tent and a full restoration followed.  The hobby soon grew into a collection of over 30 automobiles.   Mr. Gilmore purchased 90 acres of farm property and had several historic barns dismantled piece by piece and moved to the site. It was Mr. Gilmore’s wife who suggested the idea of turning the collection into a museum where future generations could enjoy the restored cars for years to come. The Gilmores established a non-profit foundation, and opened the museum to the public for the first time on Sunday, July 31, 1966. Donald Gilmore passed away in 1979, and Mrs. Gilmore in 1990, but the legacy they began continues to grow. Gilmore Car Museum and Historic Campus includes nealy 300 antique, vintage and collector cars and motorcycles from all eras on display in over a dozen historic buildings on a 90-acre campus. 1910s Franklin Car Dealership, 1930s Shell Gas Station, 1940s Diner and more.