For Immediate Release
Contact:
Stacey Walworth
(574) 293-1191- Direct
Breaking News – Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels Loans
Campaign Motorhome to RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum
Governor Daniels (left) presents the keys for his iconic 2004 campaign motorhome to BJ Thompson (right), a member of the Executive Committee of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation. The motorhome is on loan to the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum from the Indiana State Museum- and is being displayed as the newest exhibit in the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum.
ELKHART, Ind. – Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels was warmly welcomed today by supporters as he presented his 2004 Campaign motorhome, RV-1, to the RV Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.
Governor Daniels is donating this iconic touring RV, covered with signatures of constituents from all of Indiana’s 92 counties, to the Indiana State Museum- and is being displayed as the newest exhibit in the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum.
BJ Thompson, a member of the Executive Committee of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation, remarked, “When Governor Daniels wanted to visit the byways of Indiana and make a genuine grassroots connection with the people of Indiana, an RV was his vehicle of choice to help make that possible. We are glad he was so wise and was so successful. We are excited to now have RV-1 – a wonderful piece of Hoosier history – be a part of our collection of significant and vintage RVs. Our profound thanks go to Governor Daniels for being a great governor, a great supporter of the RV industry and a great supporter of the RV Museum.” Mr. Thompson was emceeing the event and a driving force for making the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum, RV-1’s new home.
In presenting the motorhome to the museum Governor Daniels proudly said, “This vehicle somehow took on a unique place in Indiana lore. I still get asked about it everywhere, and I learned long ago that people were much more interested in seeing it than seeing me,” said Daniels. “I believe RV One achieved this status because it stands for two ideas: That government should be open, approachable, and accessible to the citizens it serves; and that we care about every person and every corner of this state, that we are in this together and always will be.”
Bob Martin, President and COO of Thor Industries commented, “The RV museum is a wonderful testament to the innovators and product innovations that have made the RV industry successful and resilient for over 100 years. We are proud to support this beautiful display of vintage and historically significant RVs which is further enhanced by the addition of the governor’s Damon motorhome.”
Thor Industries sponsored the presentation of the event.
The RV/MH Heritage Foundation was founded in March of 1972 and has since inducted over 339 pioneers from the recreation vehicle and manufactured housing industries into its Hall of Fame. Along with paying homage to these extraordinary individuals, the RV/MH Heritage Foundation also runs a one-of-a -kind RV museum and library in Elkhart, Indiana. The RV/MH Museum proudly displays over 50 vintage, famous and unconventional RVs, ranging from a 1913 travel trailer displayed with a Model T, to a present day luxury motorhome. The RV/MH Library houses over 20,000 volumes of information and the world’s largest collection of industry related material. The RV/MH Heritage Foundation facility also is home to the new Northern Indiana Event Center, a versatile indoor/ outdoor event space that can host events for 12 to 2,000 guests.
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21565 Executive Parkway • Elkhart, Indiana 46514 • 800-378-8694 • 574-293-2344 • Fax: 574-293-3466
Web: www.rvmhhalloffame.org • e-mail: