From Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles will debut its newly renovated Gallery 2 building on Friday, Nov. 13, with a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony. Formerly the museum’s closed-to-the-public warehouse building, Gallery 2 has undergone a multifaceted, years-long renovation. The entire building has been transformed and is filled to the brim with vehicles quietly waiting behind its doors. Many of these vehicles have been in storage for decades, and others are new additions to the collection that have not yet been seen by the public. Mixed in with these long-hidden gems will be some familiar faces to longtime regular visitors.
The debut of Gallery 2 will begin at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 with remarks by museum representatives and VIPs. A truly unique ribbon-cutting will follow to officially open Gallery 2. Attendees will be able to see the transformed building, which originally served as the paint shop for the Boyertown Auto Body Works, and all the amazing vehicles on display. Light refreshments will be offered. Gallery 2 will officially open as part of the Museum experience on Saturday, Nov. 14, during the regular hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The opening of this second building on the Boyertown Museum campus demonstrates the museum’s continued commitment to showcase Pennsylvania’s transportation history. One of the exciting new features in Gallery 2 is the new bicycle shop — renowned custom bicycle builder Harry Havnoonian recently retired and moved his entire shop from Media, PA, into Gallery 2. Harry has built countless custom bicycles over the years, and they have gone on to win over 100 National Championships, seven World Cups, set an hour record, and win a Silver Medal at the Athens Olympics. But this machinery will not be a static exhibit — they, along with over a dozen of Havnoonian custom bikes and pieces of memorabilia, will be used by Harry himself to conduct demonstrations and bicycle building seminars for visitors. Harry Havnoonian will join for the ribbon-cutting event on the evening of Friday, Nov. 13, and will be conducting demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15.
Joining for Opening Weekend will be a very special ‘guest’ — the extremely popular Back to the Future tribute car built by Tom Silknitter. This exact replica of the DeLorean time machine was on special exhibit at the museum in summer 2023, and it will be returning for display in Gallery 2 for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 13 and for the entire Opening Weekend. Mr. Silknitter’s remarkable attention to detail and in-depth research in recreating this iconic vehicle made it a huge hit at the Boyertown Museum three years ago, and the museum is thrilled to have the car back to help usher in this exciting new phase in the museum’s life.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, the grand opening festivities continue with a DJ, door prizes, bicycle building demonstrations, and a 1980s costume contest to coincide with the display of the Back to the Future tribute car. The new Gallery 2 building will be a part of the Museum campus and included in the Museum’s regular contribution rates.
About the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by Paul and Erminie Hafer. The Museum, located at 85 S. Walnut St. in Boyertown, preserves and displays examples of Pennsylvania’s road transportation history in the former factory buildings of the Boyertown Auto Body Works. Over 90 locally manufactured cars, trucks, carriages, bicycles, and motorcycles are on display, as well as three examples of roadside architecture — a 1920s tourist cabin, a 1921 cottage-style Sunoco gas station, and a 1938 Jerry O’Mahony diner. The Museum is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 610-367-2090 or visit boyertownmuseum.org.
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