Welcome to the NWVCMM

 

 

The mission of the museum is to promote the life-long education of our community, by interpreting the heritage, history, and evolution of automobiles and motorcycles over twenty-five years old.  Appropriate activities generate interest, fund raising, and a sense of fun and camaraderie among the members and visitors.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  We are open every weekend from the
                                May 19th to September 30th, 2012

                                Our hours are Saturdays and Sundays
                                from 9:30 am to 4:00pm. 

 

NW Vintage Car and Cycle Museum Introduction Spring 2012. Dave Nelson takes you on a tour of the museum in Brooks, Oregon, and tells about its goals and future outlook. See some of the museum and learn about the high school Model T program.

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS GATHER TO CELEBRATE 11 YEARS

On Saturday March 23, more than 90 members and friends of the Museum gathered for a sumptuous potluck dinner and an update on the progress of their museum over the past eleven years. Doug Nelson, chairman of the board, detailed our long list of progress and explained the next two construction phases needed to complete the main Ex-hibit Hall of the Museum.
Ed Weber highlighted the Speedster Program by showcas-ing the mentors of this program. He unveiled a photo display showing 13 different mentors assisting students on 19 individ-ual and different jobs of building a speedster.
Doug Nelson presented "Volunteer of The Quarter" awards to Sandy & Jerry Grulkey, Dave Mulheron and Ray Han-sen. Other awards presented were: Laura Nelson for her outstanding work in publish-ing The Messenger newsletter, Willamette Valley Model T Club for its commitment to the Speedster Program, and Don Petersen for his exceptional role as mentor to the Speedster Program.
All Museum officers and board members were introduced to the membership along with members of the Education Committee, Display Committee, Docent Committee, Building Commit-tee, Newsletter Publication, Web Page Man-agement, Maintenance Committee, Speedster Committee, and The Ladies of The Museum.
To close the program, President Tom Ruttan presented an award to Doug Nelson, "as a visionary, strategic leader, fundraising champion and multi-tasking individual in his role as the Museum's Board Chairman for 11 years."

Ten Years of Accomplishments by the

Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum

 

· Organized as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in 2002

· Constructed a 1938 Vintage Texaco Gas Station in 2003

· Grew to over 300 members

· Established a beautiful outdoor campus with 40 shade trees

· Paved the road all the way to the station and campus

· Sold 562 paver stones to help finance main Museum building

· Sponsored 10 High School Car Shows

· Visited 51 car and motorcycle clubs

· Conducted 26 vintage car & motorcycle informational seminars

· Received 8 vintage cars, 3 motorcycles, 1 scooter as donations

· Sponsored 8 vintage shows and swap meets

· Obtained Powerland’s first seismic site study

· Participated in over 52 shows and meets

· Became a participating member of Powerland’s planning council and Board of Governors

· Presented Texaco Gas Station for photo shoots

· Visited other regional vintage museums

· Finished construction on Phase I of the large Museum Exhibit Hall

· Obtained several grants to enhance the Museum’s educational efforts

· Established a web site: nwcarandcycle.org

· Published 38 quarterly issues of the Museum’s newsletter

· Constructed a gazebo on the outdoor campus

· Sponsored a speedster building program with Salem/Keizer School District

· Installed all 2,100 paver stones in front of new exposition building.

· Finished construction on the Museum’s garage building.

· Won 2 National Museum awards for the Speedster & High School Car Show Programs.

· Successfully displayed vintage cars & motorcycles to the public during May through October of the 2011 & 2012 exposition years.

Caboose Overhead! new addition to the Logging Museum at Powerland is a steel caboose that was unloaded March 29 before an appreciative group of folks. It will become the Logging Museum office. They also have a display building under con-struction. This picture was snapped by Graham Hicks, Laura Nelson’s father, during his first trip to Powerland.

 

 

 

 

TOM RUTTAN ELECTED AS NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

 

At the November Board of Directors meeting, Vice President Tom Ruttan was elected President of the Board.  Mike Botswick has stepped down from the President’s position to assume the role of Secretary/Treasurer.  Doug Nelson has agreed to serve as Board Chairman for another year. This leaves two Board positions vacant because of the passing of John Chandler and Larry Leek. We need members to step up and serve on the Board, including the position of Vice President.  Please call Board Chairman Doug Nelson about your interest in one of these two positions.  The pay isn’t great but the rewards are many. We need you as we are heading into our 11th year and hope to be building our next building phase soon.

  Those folks currently serving on the Board of Directors are:  Doug Nelson, Chairman; Tom  Ruttan, President; Mike Bostwick, Secretary-Treasurer; Burt Edwards, Historian; Tom Kneeland,  Ray Hansen, Ed Weber, Jerry Grulkey, Neil Beutler, Martin Boehme, Don Blain, Sherri Cartwright and Marvin Nisley.

 

 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

The new year of 2013 brings with it some significant changes to your Museum Board of Directors.  With the recent passing of our friends and board members John Chandler and Larry Leek, we have some very big shoes to fill on the board.  The position of Treasurer is a particularly critical position for the continued successful operation of the Museum.    Additionally, many of you may be aware that the Secretary position has been unfilled for some time.  After much discussion and huddling amongst the remaining board members, Mike Bostwick has volunteered to step down as President and take on the double duty of Treasurer and Secretary.  Mike has provided exceptional leadership and guidance of the Museum and board for many years and his willingness to assume this dual role for these critical positions is just the latest example of his dedication to the Museum.  Thank you, Mike, (see more on NEWS)

Winter Car Storage:  A Win-Win For Everybody!

Some wise members of the Museum continue to help themselves and the Museum by storing their cars over the winter months at $50 per month. This program has netted our museum $2950 this season while allowing a presence of interesting vehicles on display during the “off” months. Dry, secure storage at better-than-commercial rates. Truly a WIN-WIN deal for all! Call Doug Nelson for more information.

 

Volunteer of the Quarter: Ray Hansen

Longtime Museum member Ray Hansen is our Volunteer of the Quarter.  As the original chairman of the Museum’s Education Committee, he has guided it thoughtfully and efficiently with a sense of humor and purpose.   He worked with the first High School Car Shows and has organized educational tours, including one proposed for the Le May Museum in Tacoma, WA, this spring.

  Ray also serves on the Display Committee.   He goes about the business of the Museum in an orderly way, but has a big impact behind the scenes.

His specialty could be “Docent Duty” where he can always be counted on to do more than his share – a natural teacher!   Maybe that’s because he was a teacher at Keizer Elementary School for thirty years.  His wife, Wanda, was a teacher at Cummings Elementary. They are both grandparents.

  As a longtime Keizer resident, Ray has served on the Keizer Planning Commission, Keizer Heritage Foundation and helped out one of his oldest passions, while working with the Keizer Little League.  He usually goes south, after the birds, for spring training.

  There are more activities we could name, but the Museum should feel very fortunate that someone who doesn’t actually own an ancient/collectible car or motorcycle would want to hang out with us. Many, many thanks, Ray!  

 

1949 Hudson Donated, Along with a Great Story!

A 1949 Hudson “step down” sedan has been donated to our Museum, along with its remarkable story.  As you will see, sometimes these stories are more interesting than the car itself.

  On September 24, 1951, Air Force officer Felix Asla boarded a train in Eugene, Oregon. He was ultimately bound for South Korea to fight in an air war that would take his life.  He said his goodbyes to his wife Besse, daughter Merrilee, and son Terry.  He left his almost new 1949 Hudson in their care.

  Major Asla became the 28-year-old commander of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Korea.  He went on to shoot down four enemy MIG fighters before losing a dogfight battle to a Russian-piloted MIG .  He was in his F-86 Sabre Jet nicknamed “The Chopper.”  The fighting was intense in MIG Alley that day and Major Asla and his plane were listed as missing in action.  His family had a very difficult time dealing with the unknown, not knowing if he was alive of dead until many years later in 1992.

  During the Korean War, Russian fighter pilots were engaged in a “secret” war in the air and it was rumored that some American pilots may have been captured and taken to Russian prison camps.  Because neither his body nor his plane were ever found the family held on to the hope that he may have been captured and held in prison.  His son Terry held on to this hope for over forty years.  Meanwhile, the 1949 Hudson waited patiently in its garage.  Finally, the thawing of the Cold War caused the release of information that, in fact, Major Felix Asla had been killed in action.  The Russian fighter pilot who shot him down was located in retirement and had photographic proof of the missing plane.  His remains have never been recovered.

  Dr. David Freed of Salem, Oregon acquired the Hudson sedan from the family of Major Asla and did minor restoration to bring it out of its long hibernation.  It now has a total of 24,500 miles on the odometer and does need further work, which will be done by Museum volunteers in the coming months.  It will be on display in the summer of 2013.  Thank you for your generous donation, Dr. Freed!

  The Wichita Eagle newspaper of Wichita, Kansas did an extensive story about Major Asla, his son Terry, and Terry’s quest for the truth about his father.  This newspaper and extra Hudson parts were also donated.

 

Plaque Honoring Founders Placed in Museum

Eleven years ago, ten forward-thinking folks met at the MacLeay Inn to discuss the possibility of establishing a vintage car museum. At this meeting it was learned that property was available at Antique Powerland for a very reasonable cost. Excitement began to mount.

  Their original thoughts were to create a museum that would be member-owned, and instead of restricting display vehicles to those only owned by the museum, members would provide their vehicles on a rotating display basis. This would assure a fresh display each year.

  These same ten folks met several times more and they were very instrumental in selecting the Museum's present name, “Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum,” organizing as a non-profit educational corporation, developing bylaws and starting a membership drive.

  To recognize and honor these ten founders, the Museum has designed a “Founders Plaque.” It is mounted on the west wall of the Museum's Exhibit Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

Marvin Nisly’s Trailer:  A Moving Billboard!

By Doug Nelson

 

Museum member Marvin Nisley and Museum Vice President Tom Ruttan show off Marvin’s rolling artwork.

 

 

Marvin Nisley had a great idea.  Why not take the Museum on the road?  His answer: put a picture on the back of his car trailer for all the world to see! Thanks to Jim Lienemann for the original artwork and Mark Adams of Supervinyl for the enlargement.  When you see this image going down the road, honk and give Marvin a “thumbs up” in appreciation! 

 

 

 

 

Jubitz Truck Stop Display
Partnership and Opportunity!  by Doug Nelson

Our museum has developed a new partnership with Jubitz in Portland, similar to an agreement

with the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum and Jubitz.  We are displaying a car on a rotating basis in their retail lobby and in turn we have the opportunity to advertise the Museum and collect donations.

     Currently on display is a 1951 Buick Woody owned by Doug and Kay Nelson.  It has been popular with the Jubitz patrons and many pictures have been taken.  Several people have now come to Powerland as a  result of the display.

If you are interested in having your vehicle on display at Jubitz for a 3-6 month time period, contact Doug Nelson at 503-399-0647.

 

 

 

American Flag to Fly at Museum

By Doug Nelson

 

Members of the Beaver Chapter from Portland of the Model "A" Ford Club of America have donated over $700 for a flag and flag pole to be constructed near the Museum's Texaco service station.  A pole owned by Museum member Bill Hellie, is available for our use.  This project is a go and will be completed prior to the Steam-Up in July! 
Thank you Model "A" people and Bill Hellie!

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST  ANNUAL  
ALL-CLUB RENDEZVOUS A SUCCESS

 

The first annual car club rendezvous was a qualified success given the uncertain weather conditions.

     Eight clubs combined to bring 39 cars and trucks to the meet.  Twenty-two other cars and trucks came and were not associated with any club. Three motorcycles also showed up.  The clubs that were represented:

 

Willamette Valley Street Rods

 

Willamette Valley Model T Ford Club

 

Beaver Chapter of the Model A Ford Club

 

Silverton  Flywheels

 

Obsolete Fleet Chevrolets

 

Henry’s Half Tons

 

Model A Ford Club of Albany

 

Buick Club of America, Portland Chapter

 

The folks from the Brooks Historical Society served breakfast and lunch during the show.  This is the main way they fund money for their museum, the Brooks Depot, at Antique Powerland.  Their effort was much appreciated.

Many thanks to those members of our museum who came early and stayed late to register our guests and be  gracious hosts at the show.  Special thanks to member Arnie Anderson who took charge of parking the vehicles in a very attractive manner.

At 1:15 pm, the predicted rains came and suddenly the outside party was over but continued inside the Museum for another hour or so. Thanks to all who came to the show.  Hopefully we can build on this and have a larger  show and more sunshine next year.

 

 

 

 

 

The Docent Program Needs YOU!     By Doug Nelson

 

Image created by Laura Nelson, with apologies to J.M. Flagg

Uncle Don wants YOU to be a docent at the Museum this coming show season.  It is the patriotic thing to do!  It is also the fun and personally rewarding thing to do. 

    Our display building will be filled with rare motor vehicles for sharing with the public.  The job of the docents is to play host to these folks in a friendly manner and let our guests enjoy the experience at their own pace.  Many want to share their family car history (“My grandfather had…”)  Docents are good listeners.  It is not necessary to know all the details or history of each vehicle.  Reference materials will be provided.

  The Museum will be open on weekends from May 19 through September 30.  Host times are from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 12:30 to 4:00.  You may do a half day or bring a lunch and do a full day.  It is a great time to serve with a spouse or a buddy.  Period clothing is optional, as is driving your vintage car or bike.  

Don Feller will hold a docent training class on Sat., April 21, 2012 at 10 am in the main Display Building.  Call or email him at 503-639-1816 or d.feller@ frontier.com.  Answer the call to join Uncle Don’s army!

 

 

 

 

 

Museum Offers LivePostcard.com

By Doug Nelson

 

Our museum is taking the lead on a new program of benefit to visitors to Powerland.
A Salem company owned by Kevin Roudebush has put together a unique program using a digital camera and the internet. When a visitor comes to the Museum, one of our hosts takes their picture and saves it to a card. When the visitor goes home, they can email this picture to friends and relatives. The picture is put on a template that describes the museum and has links to other attractions. It does not cost us anything, in fact, if we do enough volume, we may actually make some money. The main benefit to the Museum is the exposure gained when visitors spread the word with the photo. It is another example of the “social” media that is becoming a major way of communicating in this 21st century.
We have already had positive feedback on this program from visitors.

The 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up NW Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum
Preview Show Photo Album
To see the photo album click here.
 
For news about the construction of our Museum, click here.

For a list of upcoming events, see our Calendar, click here.

The newest Museum Quarterly Newsletter is available. Click here

For a complete list of the Museum Quarterly newsletter, click here

 

 

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