Letter of Introduction to the NationalAutomobileMuseum
January 2006
Museum History:
When the NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection) opened in 1989, it was reported to have set the standard for the world of automobile museums with its dramatic displays, in-depth interpretation, extensive collection, and exciting opportunities for visitor participation.
The Museum displays more than 200 cars from 1892 to present, the majority of which are from the world famous collection of the late gaming pioneer and avid collector, Bill Harrah.
The idea for the Museum developed after Mr. Harrah’s death in 1978. Holiday Corporation purchased Harrah’s Hotels/Casinos and the world-renowned Harrah’s Automobile Collection in 1980. Following an announcement by Holiday Corporation of its intent to sell Harrah’s Automobile Collection, there was a tremendous public outcry from the citizens of Nevada to save the collection.
In 1981, in response to this outcry, Nevada Governor Robert List helped form a private nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Holiday Corporation donated 175 cars and the research library, among other artifacts. At the time, this was the largest corporate philanthropic gift in our nation’s history. Thanks to the generosity of many, the land and construction of the Museum were funded by public and private contributions, most notably from the City of Reno Redevelopment Agency, a State of Nevada legislative appropriation and philanthropic individuals.
Since its opening, nearly 1.5 million visitors have explored the evolution of the automobile and its influence on our culture and lives through the Museum’s many changing exhibits and educational programs.
Organization Mission
The Museum’s mission is to collect and preserve the automobile for future generations and to tell the story of the impact of the automobile on American society.
The Museum contributes to arts and cultural programs in northern Nevada for residents and visitors and relies on grants and private sector financial support to fulfill its educational mission. The Museum is an internationally recognized 501©3 nonprofit organization, formed solely for educational purposes.
Museum Description
Located along the banks of the TruckeeRiver in downtown Reno, the 105,000 square foot building incorporates smooth, rounded, exterior walls and chrome trim reminiscent of automotive styling. The popular 1950s car paint color, Heather Fire Mist, was chosen for the exterior walls.
Inside the Museum, it’s like driving a century in just two hours, letting visitors travel through time like few other places. Four period street scenes represent each quarter of the 20th century, with facades, autos and artifacts reflecting each era’s styles and moods. A timeline of events and achievements on each street chronicles the history and progress of the automobile.
Beyond the streets, visitors discover a century of automobiles--more than 200 antique, vintage, classic and special interest vehicles ranging from 1892 to present. The Museum, considered to have one of the finest horseless carriage collections in the world, is also known for its many rare, experimental and one-of-a-kind automobiles.
The Museum Store is filled with an array of automotive-related gifts and merchandise, and offers a large selection of books, with more than 480 titles ranging from restoration resources to cookbooks and children’s selections.
The extensive Automotive Research Library is world-renowned and the Museum actively conducts research for scholars, journalists, restorers, enthusiasts and the interested public. Spanning more than one hundred years of automotive history from an 1895 Horseless Age to the latest AutoWeek, the library holdings include technical books, sales literature, restoration manuals, shop and owner’s manuals, wiring diagrams, upholstery samples, paint color chips and formulas, photographs, and much more.
However, the road doesn’t end there.
Each year the Museum offers a series of new exhibits. Masterpiece Exhibits feature themed-car displays and the Changing Exhibits Gallery covers a variety of topics from art to historical features. The annual calendar also includes a variety of fun family events, and informative and entertaining educational programs.
The Museum has become a favorite of both residents and visitors to northern Nevada. It was named among the “Top Ten Museums” by Car Collector magazine and selected the “BestMuseum in Northern Nevada,” year-after-year, in Nevada Magazine’s annual reader’s poll.
Artown Program Descriptions
#1 - Ice Hot Cars, July 15, 2006
Ice Hot Cars is a multi-disciplinary cultural event scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A Free Family Event with an extensive exhibit of hotrods, custom cars, motorcycles and Art Cars. The event includes ice cream for $1 and entertainment.
Ice Hot Cars will feature Art on Wheels, including hot rods, custom cars, newest genre in the automotive art field, Art Cars, including “Become an Art Car Artist.” The origins of each began with functionality, and then transcended traditional design through the application of creativity and almost rebellious individuality. Visitors will experience the design components of these automotive art forms and view the progression of custom design, which began subtly in the 1930’s and evolved into the dramatic creations of today. The art of hot rods, custom cars and art cars has developed into its own culture and has become an icon within the American lifestyle.
Hot Rod/Custom Car Exhibit
The hot rod and custom cars have often been noted to follow a parallel with the “street art” culture, very different from “intellectualized” art. Hot rods and customs, considered irreplaceable legends, are unitized bodies, consisting of individual metal parts fashioned together the imagination of their designers, individuals who aren’t afraid to express themselves in search of new trends and styles. Through their designer’s creativity and amazing craftsmanship, they changed the automotive tastes of a nation, and influenced design studios across America and eventually the finished product that emerged from the production line. This one-day, outdoor exhibit will feature approximately 50 pre-selected, qualified vehicles from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, representing the customized images of speed and innovation.
Art Cars Exhibit
In the 1970’s a new car art form sprang forth, the Art Car. This new art form had only a small following within its underground arena, but now this recognized art form has found its place in museums and exhibitions across the nation. Four select Art Cars will be featured during Ice Hot Cars. These forms of automotive expression have had an influence on the contemporary Art movement, which allows people to express their individuality in a uniquely personal way. As with most forms of folk and visionary art, contemporary Art Car artists have channeled a freedom of expression that is based upon treating the car as simply a canvas. They apply their inspirations, their desires, their dreams, their feelings, what they want to communicate to others, their art to the automobile, their three-dimensional canvas.
ASneak Peek of Reno’s Art Car Film: Automorphosis
Well-known author, filmmaker, and art car visionary Harrod Blank will offer a sneak peek of his newest film “Automorphosis” in the Reno area at Ice Hot Cars in the Museum’s theatre. Mr. Blank’s credits include three books and five films on the Art Car phenomenon.
Cool Treats and Cool Tunes
Through collaboration with Model Dairy, Swire Coca Cola and Kiwanis Club of Reno Sunrisers, products, services and staffing will be provided for ice cream service in the Museum’s lobby. DJ Johnny Starr will be featured at the Hot Rod Exhibit playing tunes from the past, which will frame the culture that created the hot rod.
#2 - The 1960s: Movin’ & Groovin’, July 1 – 31, 2006
Likeno decade before it, the 1960s left an unforgettable imprint on the 20th Century. It was the turning point for change that impacted every aspect of our society from our language to our values, lifestyles, philosophy, literature, art, entertainment, automobiles, human thought and culture. The conservative 1950s was quickly left behind and revolutionary thinking shook the very foundation of our American culture.
This exhibit is offered free, July 1-31, 2006, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
#3 - Docent Guided Tours, July 1 – 31, 2006
For a different spin on history, Museum docents offer free tours after admission, through more than 200 vehicles, including fascinating antiques, beautiful classics, cars of the stars and outrageously fun and freakish one-of-a-kind wonders. Realistic period street scenes, unique displays and galleries let visitors travel through time like few other places. Tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
#4 - The Artwork of Robert Cinkel, July 1 – 31, 2006
The Museum displays two art collections free of admission during Artown by Reno artist Robert Cinkel, the official artist of the NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection).
The Entrance Hall Gallery displays Cinkel’s “Museum Series,” in which large-scale oil paintings depict automobiles in their historical context. Each complements the mission of the Museum by revealing a fascinating story and a place in time, reflecting the automobile’s impact on society.
Cinkel’s “Truckee River Series,” shown in the Administrative Hall Gallery, depicts the TruckeeRiver, which flows out of a dam at the north end of Lake Tahoe and wanders down from the SierraMountains to eventually empty into PyramidLake, almost 100 miles in away. The series captures scenes along the river, from tranquil sites to white water flows and social gatherings at popular locales. This series provides a unique complement to the Museum, which is located along the banks of the TruckeeRiver at the corner of Lake and Mill Streets in downtown Reno.
Artown Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:Jackie L. Frady
Museum Executive Director
775-333-9300
Media Contact
Barbara Clark
775-333-9300
NATIONALAUTOMOBILEMUSEUM
The Harrah Collection
SHOWCASES ‘ICE HOT CARS’,
ARTIST ROBERT CINKEL,
AND MORE FOR ARTOWN
Reno, NV – Experience the art form of ‘Ice Hot Cars’ during the month of July along with the artistic displays of Robert Cinkel, and the fascinating exhibit, The 1960s: Movin’ & Groovin’. Top off the Artown experience with a personalized Docent Guided Tour, all during July, 2006. All offered free and guided tours are offered free after regular admission into the Museum.
The NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection) will present these activities as part of the eleventh Artown Festival, July 1-31, 2006, hosted by the City of Reno. The month-long summer arts festival features more than 200 events produced by over 60 cultural organizations and businesses in more than 50 locations city wide.
Ice Hot Cars, July 15, 2006, is a multi-disciplinary cultural event scheduled for Saturday, July 15, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ice Hot Cars will feature Art on Wheels, including hot rods, custom cars, the newest genre in the automotive art field, Art Cars, including “Become an Art Car Artist”. Well known author, filmmaker, and art car visionary Harrold Blank will offer a sneak peek of his newest film “Automorphosis” in the Reno area at Ice Hot Cars in the Museum’s theatre. The origins of each began with functionality, and then transcended traditional design through the application of creativity and almost rebellious individuality. Visitors will experience the design components of these automotive art forms and view the progression of custom design, which began subtly in the 1930’s and evolved into the dramatic creations of today. The art of hot rods, custom cars and art cars has developed into its own culture and has become an icon within the American lifestyle. Ice Hot Cars is made possible, in part, by the support of the City of Reno
Changing Gallery Exhibit: The 1960s: Movin’ & Groovin’
The 1960s: Movin’ & Groovin” will be featured during Artown in the Museums Changing Exhibit Gallery, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Likeno decade before it, the 1960s left an unforgettable imprint on the 20th Century. It was the turning point for change that impacted every aspect of our society from our language to our values, lifestyles, philosophy, literature, art, entertainment, automobiles, human thought and culture. The conservative 1950s was quickly left behind and revolutionary thinking shook the very foundation of our American culture.
The Artwork of Bob Cinkel
The Museum displays two art collections by Reno artist Robert Cinkel, the official artist of the NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection). The Entrance Hall Gallery displays Cinkel’s “Museum Series,” in which large-scale oil paintings depict automobiles in their historical context. Each complements the mission of the Museum by revealing a fascinating story and a place in time, reflecting the automobile’s impact on society.
Cinkel’s “Truckee River Series,” shown in the Administrative Hall Gallery, depicts the TruckeeRiver, which flows out of a dam at the north end of Lake Tahoe and wanders down from the SierraMountains to eventually empty into PyramidLake, almost 100 miles in away. The series captures scenes along the river, from tranquil sites to white water flows and social gatherings at popular locales. This series provides a unique complement to the Museum, which is located along the banks of the TruckeeRiver at the corner of Lake and Mill Streets in downtown Reno.
Bob Cinkel was born and raised in southern California. By third grade, he knew art would play a vital role in his life, providing enjoyment and creative expression beyond the spoken and written word. Cinkel has been painting for more than 40 years, mostly in watercolor and more recently in oil, creating pieces for private collections. Subjects have varied and style has evolved. After receiving a commission to paint an automobile in the 1990s, he became captivated with this new subject and began a new, creative journey associated with the NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection).
Docent Guided Tours
For a different spin on history during Artown, Museum docents will offer free tours after admission, through more than 200 vehicles, including fascinating antiques, beautiful classics, cars of the stars and outrageously fun and freakish one-of-a-kind wonders. Realistic period street scenes, unique displays and galleries let visitors travel through time like few other places. Tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection), rated one of the “Top Ten” automobile museums in the country, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at the corner of Lake and Mill Streets directly across from the Sienna Casino in downtown Reno. Free parking is available in the museum’s parking lot off of Mill Street.
NationalAutomobileMuseum – The Harrah Collection
10 South Lake Street, Reno, NV89501 *
Fact Sheet
The NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection) features:
- One of the most comprehensive public displays of automobiles in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 200 cars.
- 105,000 square feet on one level, located on the beautiful TruckeeRiver in downtown Reno.
- Architecture highlighted by smooth, rounded exterior walls with chrome trim reminiscent of automotive styling and contrasting reflective glass pyramids at the lobby. The popular ‘50s car paint color, heather fire mist, covers the exterior walls.
- Four authentic street scenes representing each quarter of the 20th century, with facades, autos and artifacts from each era.
- A multi-media timeline of events and achievements on each street chronicling the history and progress of the automobile.
- Complete technical, historical and anecdotal information displayed with each car.
- Changing Exhibits Gallery covering a variety of automotive topics from art to historical features.
- Masterpiece Exhibits featuring themed-car displays.
- 157-seat (theatre style) lecture hall.
- Automotive shop open to public view.
- World famous automotive research library.
- Museum Store featuring books, apparel, hard-to-find automotive gifts, souvenirs and more.
- Museum available for group tours, daytime and evening banquets and special events.
- Landscaped gardens.
- Free parking for 71 automobiles and three RVs or buses just off Mill Street
The NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection), is located on the corner of Mill and Lake Streets in downtown Reno, is within easy walking distance from hotels and casinos. The museum covers more than 100,000 square feet featuring changing exhibits, four period scenes and a specialtyMuseum Store.
Families may plan to spend about two hours visiting the Museum. NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection) admission rates are $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors, $3.00 for children 6 to 18 and children 5 and under enter free. Family memberships are available for $55 a year, which includes parents, their children, and grandchildren under the age of 19. Discounts are available in brochure racks and entertainment guides.
Captions and Credits for attached Photo File:
Hot Rods and Custom Cars:
1933 Ford Roadster, owner Brad Cannon, Reno, NV,
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference #127
1932 Ford Roadster, owner Richard Joseph, SparksNV
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference # 155
1940 Pontiac, 2 Door Sedan, owner Paul Haden, Reno, NV
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference # 134
Art Cars:
Flier Wagon, owned by Bob Castaneda, Oakland, CA
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference # 81
Guit Cycle, owned by Ray Nelson, Cambell, CA
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference # 80
Truck n’ Flux, owned by Philo and JoAnne Northrup, San Jose, CA
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Reference # 145
Edith, owned by Harrod Blank, Berkeley, CA
NationalAutomobileMuseum (The Harrah Collection)
Photo Refernece # 77