Get your Michigan Automotive History FunPak!
Michigan Automotive History FunPak!
Since the early 1900s, the automotive industry has touched millions of families that call Michigan home. We invite you, and your families, to step back in time and learn all about these incredible automotive stories.
First stop - Discover the world and technology of yesterday, today and tomorrow at Flint's Sloan Museum and Buick Gallery and Research Center. Travel to a place you never dreamed you could go, where, in the 19th Century, lumbering and fur-trading still fed families and carriages transported communities to church. Witness the birth of General Motors and the "Vehicle City." Then, step into the 20th Century of diners and sock hops, civil rights and social unrest, Corvettes and flower power. Enjoy interactive award winning traveling exhibits and a host of exciting educational programs all year long. Children can also engage in hands-on fun in Sloan's Discovery Center.
Second stop - Get even a greater understanding of Flint and its automotive history at Sloan's Buick Gallery & Research Center, where beautifully restored early 20th Century vehicles, to one-of-a-kind concept cars, are waiting to transport you to wherever your spark of curiosity wants to go. Get the opportunity to view a 1910 Buick Bug, the fastest tracked record-setting car of its time (only two were built). Also, check out an M-18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer, which was a key factor in decisive World War II battles. (The Sloan Museum and Buick Gallery & Research Center are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Both attractions are closed on all major holidays.)
Third stop - Relax, rejuvenate and enjoy some Flint and Genesee County hospitality at one of our many brand-name hotels. Take a swim with the kids, watch a movie, or sit back and read a book.
In the morning, head 30 minutes south of Flint to your fourth stop - the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills. Located in Chrysler Group LLC complex, the Museum celebrates the heritage of an American automotive original. Three floors of 65 plus antique, custom and concept vehicles, spanning more than a Century, are interspersed with interactive displays and historical exhibits to showcase the Chrysler's story, as well as the automobile's impact on American culture. From vintage vehicles dating back to the 1900s to models showcasing the automaker's leadership in design, engineering and other innovations to muscle cars of the '50s-'70s, there's something for every enthusiast, as well as those who are just along for the ride. The Museum offers a host of annual programs and events, including lectures and workshops, a popular summer Cruise Nights and Cars, Trees & Traditions and a year-end holiday exhibition. (The Walter P. Chrysler Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays and all major holidays.)
And, in between all the fun, take some time to visit other automotive related Flint attractions such as the Whaley Historical House Museum, a unique house museum from Flint's Victorian Era. Restored to its original condition from the period of 1885-1925, Whaley House represents a fascinating era when Flint began to make the transition from a small lumbering community to one of the world's largest automotive industrial centers. Get the opportunity to View the $2,000 loan check that Mr. Robert Whaley, President of Citizens Bank in Flint, issued to William C. Durant and J. Dallas Dort that eventually led to the creation of General Motors. Optional tickets available for purchase. (The Whaley Historical House Museum is open for personal guided tours, by appointment only, Monday through Friday between noon and 3 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., for public guided tours. The Museum is closed on Sundays and all major holidays.)
Click here to reserve your FunPak today!