© Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
June 1 was the 5-year anniversary for our museum's official opening. It seems like only yesterday when we opened our doors for the first time! We had a very busy week leading up to this milestone. Visitor traffic has really picked up now that the cruise tour groups are hitting Fairbanks, although we are seeing a lot of independent travelers, too. No matter where they're from, they can't resist putting on some old-timey clothes and getting in our 1911 Everitt for a photo.
Last week Willy stayed busy leading tours in the museum while helping me put some finishing touches on our newest exhibit: Extreme Motoring: Alaska's First Automobiles and Their Dauntless Drivers. We have organized an impressive collection of original Alaska cars and several others identical to the first ones to arrive in Fairbanks. Exhibit panels tell the stories of our early motorists and their adventures and inventions. These are also vividly displayed in our large collection of historic photographs, including many newly discovered ones, displayed throughout the museum.
Another fun feature in our Alaska exhibit are four videos compiled from the film archives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. You can see modified snow vehicles in action, watch cars traveling down the old Richardson Highway and crossing the Tanana River on the old cable ferry, and see a variety of early cars motoring around several Alaska towns and Mt. McKinley National Park. We really hope you will come to the museum and see the Extreme Motoring exhibit this summer.Last week we sent another book off to the designer, this time a coloring book that will appeal to children and adults alike. It's a "Ride Along with Bobby Sheldon" coloring book that highlights his inventions and adventures, and it is whimsically illustrated by Fairbanks artist Sandy Jamieson. Hopefully we will have the books ready to sell by late July.
As if this wasn't enough to fill our week, we had a booth at the annual Vernon L. Nash Antique Auto Club car show at the Carlson Center over the weekend. Many thanks to volunteer Ron Dane for driving our 1911 Ford Model T depot hack to the show, and to volunteer Rod Benson for helping man the booth. It was a fun event and there were a lot of great-looking cars at the show. We'll post photos over on our Facebook page later this week (you don't need a Facebook account to view our page).
Many thank to all of you who made our first five years such a success. Now on to the next five!Coming to Fairbanks to see the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum and other area attractions? Support the museum by staying right here at Wedgewood Resort. All guests receive half-price admission to the museum!