Wheels Through Time is an eclectic
collection of motorcycles and motorcars, spanning the whole 20th Century
and aviation is represented as well.
Some machines on exhibit are
so rare as to be seen nowhere else, and many are actually one of a kind.
Perhaps the most unique feature of this museum is in the fact that most
of the vehicles still run. A feature which Dale and staff are only too
willing to demonstrate to visitors. It has become a frequent occurrence
to see vehicles from the collection, both two-wheeled and four, being
driven on the streets around the area.
Often they are seen taking part
in civic and charitable events, parades, or simply with Dale taking museum
patrons on a short tour.
Walksler, who moved here from
Mount Vernon, IL, had been a Harley-Davidson dealer and built his collection
during that time. He sold the dealership, ultimately chose Maggie Valley,
and began making arrangements to build a first class showplace for his
collection.
Perhaps Dale’s most often
asked question is, “Why here? Why Maggie Valley?” So why did
he move a museum which had been alive and well in Illinois for over twenty
years? Both well traveled, historic, and coincidentally with the initials
MV.
He said, “Well I was already
a big fan of the Blue Ridge area and mentioned to a group of museum visitors
in 1999 that I wanted a lifestyle change. One woman asked me what I wanted.”
He replied, “to find a place with no fast food chains, no stoplights,
beautiful motorcycle riding, great weather, friendly people, and a tourist
trade that would support a museum of this size and quality.” She
replied, “Well you ought to go look at Maggie Valley.” He
arrived in Maggie Valley in March and found the townsfolk helpful, and
encouraging. Someone at the Town Hall suggested seeing the old Village
Campground.
Immediately envisioning the facility
as it is today and closed on the property in August. Local companies were
employed for the construction. RCF constructed the bridge and elevated
a 50,000 Ft2 base twelve feet. Western Builders constructed the 38,000
Ft2 building.
A planned research library will
include thirty years of collected literature, mostly rare, and much of
it unavailable anywhere else. Included in these materials are some actual
original records of turn of the century motor companies. The collection
will be an ever growing wealth of literature, providing scholars with
the means to chronicle America’s motoring history.
In addition to the museum and
library, classrooms are being constructed and will be available to Schools,
community colleges, and universities for advanced studies and accredited
courses.
Dale proudly states, “This
is not just a collection of iron and rubber. The museum’s scope
is to be a cross-section of our motoring history.”
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