Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum - Outreach Includes Residents Who Are Unable To Visit the Museum

AUBURN March 28, 2007; Staff from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum recently addressed residents at Betz Nursing Home in Auburn. The residents filled the room to hear a presentation entitled "Stories of the Late, Great Classics" that featured stories about the Auburn Automobile Company and the cars it produced. Many of the residents grew up with these cars and once owned or drove one. Those that attended reminisced about the cars of Auburn Automobile Company, other cars they owned in their lifetime, and how the cars have changed since that time.

Cheryl Hoops, activities director at Betz Nursing Home, found the presentation very worthwhile for its residents, "The museum's presentation was very educational and intellectually stimulating for our residents. Our residents lived through this era and this is part of their past and history. Having the museum give this presentation also created a reminisce group, and stimulated their memories," said Hoops. She also said the presentations have a positive effect on the residents' current situations and health, "It is always difficult for our residents to adjust to life away from their homes and in these new surroundings. The museum's presentation helped them refocus their thoughts off of their current situations. When we can partner with others to accomplish this task we then feel we are truly doing our job and improving the quality of their lives."

Jon Bill, the museum's director of education and archives, schedules presentations for the museum when interested businesses and organization call and request a presentation. "This type of off-site activity is crucial to the museum's mission. Education is a fundamental mission of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. Off-site presentations help us to fulfill this mission. It is nice to be able to provide educational services to groups of people who otherwise may not be able to visit the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. We have provided off-site educational programs to schools, adult evening classes, church and civic groups, public libraries, sheltered workshops, and Elderhostel groups, among others. In many instances we can bring a classic Auburn or Cord automobile to the location, if weather permits," stated Bill.

The museum offers fifteen different educational presentations. Examples include: "The Rise and Fall of the Auburn Automobile Company"; "The Story of E. L. Cord"; "How a Car is Designed"; and "The Duesenberg Brothers, Their Racing Legacy and Legendary Automobiles." Presentations are normally free to the public. Interested organizations can call Jon Bill at the museum to schedule a presentation at (260) 925-1444 ext. 19.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum exhibits 120 classic, antique, vintage and special interest cars in seven galleries of the restored 1930 art deco national headquarters of the former Auburn Automobile Company. The museum, accredited by the American Association of Museums, is a National Historic Landmark. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. www.acdmuseum.org