National Hudson Museum

hudsontech
hudsontech Senior Contributor
edited June 2014 in HUDSON
Jerre Hoffman sent me  this link in my email this afternoon:

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/06/09/national-hudson-motor-car-museum-coming-to-ypsilanti-michigan/?refer=news

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

Comments

  • PaulButler
    PaulButler Administrator
    Looks great ; it will become a new entry on my Bucket List!
  • Lance
    Lance Member
    I thought that Eldon Hostettler's collection was the national Hudson Museum. Am I mistaken? 
  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I've been told he gave ownership of his cars to the little town where he lives, NOT sure about the property itself where they are housed as the building adjoins his various commercial enterprises.
    I think the actual name for the collection is the Eldon Hostettler Collection or words to that effect.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited June 2014

    The Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Historical Society had some space upstairs in the Hostetler Museum, and had a couple of items on display on the main floor, but there's been no formal connection between the HET-HS and the museum.  Mr. Hostetler wanted it to be his collection there, and only that.  And it was really a very good Hudson collection rather than a comprehensive museum that would show the history of the company, its founders and its products.  Thus, the Historical Society has worked for many years to find a path toward a "real museum."

    The Shipshewana Hostetler Museum turned out to be a financial failure, and has closed.  As mentioned above, the cars there were donated to the city by Mr. Hostetler, so he has no control over their disposal.  But he still owns quite a few very nice and rare Hudsons that were not in the group donated to the city.  Maybe he'll put a couple of these at Ypsilanti from to time (He had about a dozen at the CCCA facility in Michigan a few months ago . . . a tribute to the Hostetlers done by the museum folks there).

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    thanks for the clarification Park
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    If the museum closed, where are all of the cars?
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Probably in the museum building.  I haven't heard of any auction or other disposal plans.  Maybe they'll give Eldon a discount price to re-purchase 'em!
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Probably in the museum building.  I haven't heard of any auction or other disposal plans.  Maybe they'll give Eldon a discount price to re-purchase 'em!
    Wouldn't that be a hoot!?
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    The website apparently doesn't know the museum is closed.  They're announcing a temporary closure later this month due to a quilt convention in the building!
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    I didn't know that it was closed.  Was planning on taking my wife up there on our next trip to IN.  Have to make it the ACD.  I know THAT's still open!
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    edited June 2014
    RL, by all means stop at the A-C-D museum - there is another automotive museum down back and near the interstate is a WWII military type museum.  Be aware however, the folks at the ACD museum are not very friendly - they wouldn't let me take a Dusie home for a couple of weeks!!!!!  :D
    Regards the Hostetler museum.  I don't know the full story of what's going on - but, tho I'm not the brightest light bulb in the chandelier I could almost see this coming - the town taking over the collection and more than likely selling it off.  If it wasn't making money, and the problems they had with the outfit they had running it, then they are going to want out. 
    I'm surprised, if indeed the town has taken the collection over, that Eldon didn't do something, or have a clause in the contract, that would guarantee him having control over it.  Maybe he does - this is all speculation at the moment and all we have to go on until the real story comes out.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • railknight
    railknight Expert Adviser

    I stopped in at the Hostetler Hudson Museum at Shipshewana, IN coming back from the Auburn (IN) auction and swap meet on August 29 (2014).  It's still open to the public (I got to walk inside the museum for about 5 minutes short of closing).  Mr. Hostetler is 92 and recently suffered a broken arm due to a fall, though he's apparently doing fine recovering.  JR Hostetler is the Hudson Museum manager. 

    Dan

      

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