THE AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM
An item on my bucket list is to visit every classic and antique car museum in the United States. But of all the car museums I have visited over the years, one that I would like to see again is this one, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana. All three car manufacturers represented in this museum have beautiful designs that are worth visiting on their own. However, what calls me back to this museum in particular is the building in which it is housed. it’s an original Art Deco former car showroom, built in the Auburn car’s hometown of Auburn.
From their website, here is their description of this amazing building:
“This is where designers sketched the innovative Auburns and Cords that set the stage for the modern automobile. E.L. Cord wanted a building and showroom which would reflect the success of the Auburn Automobile Company and showcase the triumphs of the Cord Corporation. Cord commissioned architect A.M. Strauss of Fort Wayne, Indiana to design a structure in art deco style. It is a magnificent example of the Art Deco genre. In 1930, the building contained executive and general offices, design studios, a sales department, an engineering department and an elegant showroom. Today, the various components of the Museum’s collection are mingled with restored offices and work areas that demonstrate their original uses.”
What is not described here are the massive doorways, the intricately-mosaic’d terrazzo floors, and even the Art Deco stair bannister. I hope that anyone in that general area would take the time to stop and see this architectural marvel.
Museum Link: http://www.automobilemuseum.org/
And here are a few of their photos:
