Polson, Montana might contain one of the most eccentric and an interesting museums that somehow defies easy description. After my solo visit my wife asked what it had contained. The best description I was able to give was funky Americana with a car and motorbike collection thrown in. I will add to this the founder/proprietor would probably argue that the main theme is clearly one of freedom.
Just from the entrance you know this is not going to be your average roadside museum. The front is a bit deceiving as the museum is much larger than one might initially suspect. Bank on spending several hours here.
The tour starts inside with many antiques which I sadly moved through pretty quickly knowing I had a limited time to spend.
There was a large collection of bikes both pedal and motor powered.
Some pedal bikes had been converted to motorized power like this 1917 Smith Motor Wheel. This one had to be peddled to get going then the engine could be started and utilized.
This 1890 Columbia shows that shaft drives on bicycles are not a recent development.
A 1931 Henderson streamliner motorbike with sidecar. These were powered by a four cylinder engine. The motorcycle collection was quite extensive and reasonably varied.
A Briggs & Stratton Flyer Buckboard with a fifth, driven wheel by the attached single cylinder engine.
There is a large collection of military vehicles, uniforms and weapons.
Beyond the main building there is a larger, outdoor area with vehicles and additional buildings called the historical village. This 1929 Ford Model A pickup truck at a vintage gas station. The truck was originally used locally by Chouteau Montana Dairy.
This Volkswagen based food truck is interesting and appears to be a combination of half Type 2 van and half shed.
A 1964 Huey Model 204 UH-1B helicopter is one of several exhibits that visitors can get in and interact with.
Many of the exhibits focus on technology that made American life easier with additional freedoms obtained once daily chores were handled by technology. This building contained a large collection of antique washing machines.
Outside again we see a FWD tow truck with plenty of patina.
Here is a 1940s Fly-O-Plane ride built in Salem, Oregon which is a neat piece of memorabilia that not many folks have room for. This example is serial number twenty built by the Eyerly Aircraft Company and still works but has been modified so the planes have more limited motion as originally they could twist around on their axis.
This video shows a similar one in motion.
There is even a train to cover off all transportation types. This one was used by the Somers Lumber Co. to pull loads of railroad ties and according to the sign ran off compressed air.
There is small hill that gives a good view of most of the village.
Also at the top of the hill is this hub cap boat which I found strangely appealing.
This creation did not have any explanation or signage as what it is but it looks like it is/was intended to be a vehicle of some sort.
It had a rear mounted V8 engine turning a prop (missing). A wild trike.
Nearby were a few “doodlebug” homemade tractors with this one being on the very basic end of the spectrum.
Down the hill again there is an impressive array of snow machines including this 1968 or so Polaris Mustang. Likely one of the least powerful machines that bore the Mustang name with a choice of engines that ranged from 14-30hp.
A row of larger snow machines includes this Tucker Snocat from the 1950s.
This green one was built by the Glacier National Park maintenance shop from 1939 Ford running gear including the flathead V8.
The next one is more obviously Ford based as it is a 1930 Model A with a Snowbird track conversion that was used for mail delivery west of Helena, MT.
Last but not least is a Polaris Snowbird powered by a 125hp Lycoming aircraft engine that allegedly allowed speeds of up to 80 mph.
Upstairs in the same building there was more motorcycles, mostly of the smaller variety.
Glacier National Park receives a significant amount of snow and this 1950s Ford looks serious about clearing it in a hurry.
There is a dedicated automotive section which featured a Kraiser Special with a Renault Dauphine lurking behind it.
I rather like the small trailer behind although it perhaps is not the most practical with its small size and a single wheel.
The wide rear wheel on this International panel van is very much not stock and gives it an interesting look. What is the blue car next it? Can anyone guess before scrolling down?
If you said 1971 Renault R10 then I am impressed. If you said 1971 Renault R10 converted to electric with a forklift motor then I am amazed. Despite the slightly rough appearance this one apparently still drives.
I am not sure if I was strictly allowed in the workshop/storage area but no one was around, the gate was open and how often do you get to see a Corvair powered Ultra Van RV?
Given it was the first one I had ever seen I had to take a peek inside via a missing side window. It appears to need work but I am not sure if Frankenstein is the best choice for a restoration worker.
Nicknamed “Calamity Jane” Civil Defense rescue vehicles like this 1954 Reo Model F-22 were produced by heavy truck manufacturers to help respond to a nuclear attack or civil unrest.
For a bit of fun there was a UFO display.
An alien autopsy was being performed elsewhere in the museum.
Outboard motors? Yes, they have them here including many rarities and novel designs.
I never did figure out what this machine is. I would love to hear you thoughts or speculation in the comments below.
There was a small collection of firetrucks including this one built on an Oshkosh “W” series four wheel drive heavy truck chassis.
Outside is the amazing Ultramotion coach built by Marshal Sanders in the late Nineteen Sixties. He combined a 1947 Spartan Travel Trailer, 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado power-train, GMC truck front end and a Pontiac front grill.
The interior is quiet attractive as well and certainly no worse than most factory built RVs of the era.
1959 Ford taillights are a rare non-GM sourced part on it.
Also visible on the outside was this rare pair of vehicles; an Austin A90 Atlantic convertible and …
A BMW 600.
Revisiting our lead image you can see a 1956 White 3000 COE track pulling a 1940s car transport trailer with a cargo consisting of a 1917 Model T Ford Roadster, a 1926 Model T Ford race car, a 1949 Plymouth sedan, and a 1956 Studebaker sedan. While we really barely scratched the surface content wise of the museum hopefully this gives you the general flavor of the place. It really is an unique place that is well worth a visit.
Further Reading:
Museumside Classic: The Homebuilt FWD RV – An Old Spartan Trailer Mated With A Chevy Tilt Cab And Toronado Drive Train
Miracle of America Museum: Vintage Bikes – Everything From Zero To Four Cylinders
Wow, that’s a wild collection of stuff! I can see how several hours would fly by in a hurry.
The Ultramotion looks so familiar I thought maybe we covered it but I can’t find it if we did.
The VW food truck looks like someone couldn’t find a Citroen H-van to use but yes a combination of Transporter and Garden Shed gets you most of the way there!
And any place that has a Huey on display and even better, makes it available to try it on gets a big thumbs up from me. One of my bucket list items is to take a flight in one.
I think Polson, MT needs to go on my list of places to try to route myself through on some future road trip. Thanks, that was great!
Yes, we were there in 2011, and I did several posts on the museum, including one on the Utramotion, except back then there was no sign indicating what it’s name was, hence the title of my post:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/museumside-classic-the-whatchamacallit-homebuilt-rv/
Aha! Thank you!
I knew I had seen it as well but could not find it. Added to further reading.
What’s odd is that I did several posts on this museum, but the main one is absolutely not to be found anywhere. So it’s a good thing you covered it again. I’ve added two of my more in-depth posts on their bike and snow cat collection.
It’s a truly awesome place; I’m looking forward to getting back to it. I could spend a day or two there.
Hi on that motorhome with the Tornado front drive the taillights are from a 59 Dodge not Ford ! fun kewl stuff here
I am impressed. Definitely one to add to my bucket list. As for the orange contraption with the track system for propulsion, I would allude to Mad Magazine in the 1950’s. It’s a Veeblefetzer made by The North American Veeblefetzer Company. As it was explained, no one knows what to do with them, but people buy them anyway. Great presentation and many thanks.
The unidentified three wheeler looks pretty similar to old Spra Coupe ag sprayers used for spraying herbicides/pesticides on fields. Though from the rear it looks like it once ran off a propeller?
It did indeed appear to have been propeller powered. I wonder if someone was building a custom creation based of an agricultural sprayer?
Nice obscure place .
I’d love to spend a day there .
-Nate
S’funny how these eccentric collections seem to be a part of some really outta’ the way places. My first glimpse of one was the Pioneer Auto Show museum, in Murdo, SD (pop. around 500), & another the Harold Warp Pioneer Village (over 250 cars) in Minden, NE pop. 3000-ish. Both are a walk through a centuries’ worth of cars, machines, appliances, & life styles. Both have good videos – Google time! Enjoy.
Good stuff Mr. Saunders, thanks for sharing.
The locomotive does indeed look like it runs on compressed air. These were used where an external or internal combustion engine would be a fire/explosion hazard, or where they needed to run indoors a lot. They needed a source of compressed air to “refuel” so I would guess it was used in and around the Somers mill. Not very useful out on the line.
What an incredible place – that Fly-O-Plane ride and the Corvair RV are the kinds of items that you just couldn’t see in an ordinary place. This’ll definitely be on my list of place to visit in Montana.
Sounds interesting, offbeat and a little odd, just like me! Hmm, this year is out, but maybe I can work it into vacation next year.
Great tour of a very special place, that deserves to be patronized with appreciating visitors. And promoted at blogs, such as this one. Where else will you see so much unique history preserved? The fact it is not mainstream, while passionately presenting so much from the past, is the overwhelming appeal. Thanks, David.
I’ve often found museums of this type more interesting than the typical curated and preserved type. Objects with real use wear tell a deeper story than those perfectly preserved. A well used items design strengths and flaws are always made apparent over time. Quite an eclectic collection for sure.
I felt compelled to find out what that last motorbike in the line-up is. Apparently it’s a 2WD Rokon Trailbreaker, and the most surprising part is that they’re still making them. In production since 1963, one way or another
They are quite neat bikes. One can store gasoline or water in the tires as well.
I have been there before and it’s probably one of my favorite museums anywhere. So much hilariously strange and specific stuff gathered into such a stunning density of weird that it about knocks you over.
I also remember noticing the Renault 10. But it’s not just an electric! It’s a serial hybrid! See those holes drilled in the front? A stationary generator is stuck in there at the “wrong” end that powers the small battery pack that drives the electric motor. When I visited I thought it might have been from an elevator because of the markings on the casing.
Here’s the business end. I.E. the back.
Whoops
Wow. Quite an advanced home build (I assume?). Thank you for the additional photo.
Also here’s an interior shot where you can see additional gauges have been added
The owner certainly has a good sense of humor! what a great place to just walk around and spend hours. He’s got a little bit of everything there. Like the rural/country setting of this place. Having grown up and still living in one of the largest cities in the nation, I am ready to get back to nature and simpler things (tired of the big city). Love the country setting.
The “Miracle of America” is well worth the stop and a great way to tweak your creativity as you look at many of the creations found there. You will find yourself thinking “where did he find all of these unique creations”?? I have a friend who lived in Polson for about 15 years and have visited it twice as it borders on “creativity overload” with all of the many items on display. The place could use a “good dusting” at least the times I went thru as it did show some signs of neglect. The 1st time I saw that was in 1986, but much to my disappointment, it was closed at the time. Polson is a very nice town at the Southern end of the HUGE Flathead lake and usually is not very crowded unless there is a special event going on. A nice town to find a decent room and prop your feet up and watch the world go by. My friend has moved to be closer to their kids and grand kids in Idaho, but I will always remember those great times we had at Polson. I just may go thru the museum again to see what is “new” or to refresh my memory. If you are bicycle person you need to Google “The Hiawatha Trail” a great down hill bike ride thru 7 tunnels on at the former RR bed of the Olympian Hiawatha and it is West of Polson about 1.5 hours—something I DO want to do AGAIN !!!
Thank you David Saunders for taking us along to this most interesting place. Below is a link to the museum website.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://miracleofamericamuseum.org/&ved=2ahUKEwinoMeo7dT8AhVtBDQIHToOBvUQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3oUerv2iMBuuU6baxcESIf