[walks35]

Well this sucks. Just got an email that the museum is closing down in September. I loved going there. Definitely making a road trip this summer. Below is the main text from the email.

​

Located in eastern Iowa in the small town of Anamosa, the National Motorcycle Museum has been home to over 500 motorcycles, a great bicycle collection and thousands of pieces of memorabilia. After 22 years in this location, however, the Board of Directors, lead by Chairman Jill Parham, has decided to close the Museum later this year. “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitation.” The Museum is one of about six motorcycle museums in America operated as a non-profit and was established in Iowa by J&P Cycles founders John and Jill Parham. As is proper with closing non-profits, the Museum is using professional counsel during the process. Owners of loaned motorcycles have been contacted, motorcycles that belong to the Museum will be liquidated at auction to pay bills. Much of the Parham Collection will be sold as well. If you would like to be informed of the sales, go to the Museum’s website and sign up for email, www.nationalmcmuseum.org. Since this is the unfortunate end of a fine museum, we hope you’ll make plans to visit one more time. Tentative closing date is September 5, 2023 giving visitors to Sturgis and the Blackhawk MC meet in Davenport a chance to stop by.​

 

[tyrfryr]

Very sad to see, also received the email. Haven't been for a couple years but looks like I'm going to have to find time this summer for another trip across Iowa. Lot of nice bikes and history there, to bad it will all be gone soon.

 

[parker3]

Very sad to see. Have been there several times over the years, they have many great bikes and other related memorabilia. Will need to get back there sooner than later!

 

[ForestGiant]

I'm sure Mike Wolfe will take this hard. Too bad they can not relocate the museum to a more populace area, maybe someone could step up.

 

[Smokier104]

Greetings,

Wow. Uggh. We live an hour from there. Will definitively have to get one last tour before it closes. SAD, very sad.

Ride safe,
Smokier

 

[ipgrchaplain]

Location-Location-Location. The main reason Dale Walksler moved to Maggie Valley North Carolina. Thousands of Bikers enjoying the Smoky Mountains.

 

[Denny Pink]

Wonder if the board of directors ever considered changing to a seasonal museum? Close the doors during the winter months, say November to March. Wouldn't that cut down on operating costs?
DP

 

[MagVic CCT]

Still have to pay rent, utilities. Only savings likely to be payroll, which could be significant, but if there is a volunteer staff element, not so much. Some savings, yes, but coupled with NO income. Would work if there is a prudent reserve, but that may have already been exhausted.

 

[Rags]

Well this sucks. Just got an email that the museum is closing down in September. I loved going there. Definitely making a road trip this summer. Below is the main text from the email.

​ ​

​ Located in eastern Iowa in the small town of Anamosa, the National Motorcycle Museum has been home to over 500 motorcycles, a great bicycle collection and thousands of pieces of memorabilia. After 22 years in this location, however, the Board of Directors, lead by Chairman Jill Parham, has decided to close the Museum later this year. “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitation.” The Museum is one of about six motorcycle museums in America operated as a non-profit and was established in Iowa by J&P Cycles founders John and Jill Parham. As is proper with closing non-profits, the Museum is using professional counsel during the process. Owners of loaned motorcycles have been contacted, motorcycles that belong to the Museum will be liquidated at auction to pay bills. Much of the Parham Collection will be sold as well. If you would like to be informed of the sales, go to the Museum’s website and sign up for email, www.nationalmcmuseum.org. Since this is the unfortunate end of a fine museum, we hope you’ll make plans to visit one more time. Tentative closing date is September 5, 2023 giving visitors to Sturgis and the Blackhawk MC meet in Davenport a chance to stop by.​

History of this nature is loosing a part of the MC world, intrest in those whom ride or just curious about the motorcycle world............be senstational if a counter part came to the party to keep the doors open.............

 

[NY mike]

That’s too bad. I’ve visited there twice thru the years while living in the Midwest. I’d have liked to pass thru one more time but my summer road trips not getting me close enough

 

[pella cholla]

Keep it on Rt. 66 and move it to Springfield IL. I would say Chicago, but phuck Chicago! Pontiac IL would also be nice. There's a Wallys there so you can stock up on your road trip beef jerky!