Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
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| Established | April 4, 1998 |
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| Location | 1101 West McKinley Avenue Building 3A Pomona, California United States |
| Coordinates | 34°04′52″N 117°46′00″W / 34.0810699°N 117.7667822°W |
| Type | Automotive museum |
| Director | Larry Fisher |
| Curator | Greg Sharp |
| Website | nhramuseum |
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California is located in Pomona, California adjacent to the historic Auto Club Raceway. Both the museum and raceway are within the grounds of the Fairplex, home of the Los Angeles County Fair and numerous automotive related events. The Museum’s mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on American culture. The Museum collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets the vehicles, stories and artifacts that represent America’s affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms.
History
The museum was the long time dream of Wally Parks, founder of the National Hot rod Association (NHRA). Wally envisioned a museum dedicated to the story of American hot rodding. In 1991 NHRA formed a Historical Services Division to begin collecting the material culture of NHRA and American hot rodding. In 1994 the NHRA Motorsports Museum was formed as an independent 501c(3) non-profit educational institution. The following year, the museum mounted its first major exhibition in Fairplex Building #4 during the L.A. County Fair. In response to the success of the exhibition, Fairplex offered space for a permanent museum.
On April 4th, 1998 the NHRA Motorsports Museum opened in the historic Home Arts Building, originally constructed in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The museum remains the only year-round public motorsports attraction at Fairplex. The 28,500-square-foot museum facility compliments NHRA’s motorsports footprint at Fairplex reinforcing the site as the car culture center of Southern California.[1]
In 2014 the museum opened its Chrisman Brinker Gallery of Speed. The gallery celebrates Hot Rodding as a purely American activity that expresses our freedom and mobility. The exhibits illustrate the four primary themes of the museum's permanent collections: The Origin of the Hot Rod; The Art and Science of Customizing; Land Speed Racing; and Drag Racing.
Collections
The NHRA Motorsports Museum is recognized world-wide for its collections which feature some of the most important and iconic vehicles in American motorsports. The museum features numerous award-winning and record-setting vehicles that represent important milestones in the evolution of the American hot rod and its role in our culture. In addition to its own collection, the museum stages special exhibitions that include vehicles from a wide array of museums and private collections.
The museum's exhibitions also draw from the growing collections and archives that include the Bob McClung helmet and photo collection; items from the Southern California Timing Association, 200MPH Club, and other land speed organizations; the Barry Price collection of hand-built drag racing miniatures; and much more.
Programs and Events
The NHRA Motorsports Museum produces two Annual Hot Rod Reunion events that benefit the organization and celebrate the mission of the institution by conducting drag racing competitions with restored and reproduction historic race cars; honoring individuals who have made contributions to the field of hot rodding; presenting displays of hot rods and historic race cars; and, providing activities for those engaged in the preservation, restoration, and collecting of historic vehicles. The Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance is held in Bowling Green, Kentucky at historic Beech Bend Park, in June of each year. The museum's California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California is held in Bakersfield, California at historic Famoso Raceway in October of each year.
The museum presents its monthly Twilight Cruise program from 3 o clock until 7 o clock on the first Wednesday of each month from March thru August and October thru December. The Twilight Cruise is an opportunity for enthusiasts to visit the museum and share in the hot rod culture as hundreds of hot rods, custom, and collector cars gather in the museum's parking area.
Throughout the year the NHRA Motorsports Museum presents a wide variety of programming for school children, adults, and motorsports enthusiasts. For more information on programs and public events visit the museum website.
Finances
The museum is structured as a non-profit organization under the laws of the United States, section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. There are a number of ways to support for the museum's activities including membership, gifts, and contributions. Contact the museum for more information.
References
- ^ Carpenter, Susan (21 June 2006). "Worshipping at the auto shrine". Los Angeles Times.
