Recent community tours feature Kokomo attractions

I recently had the opportunity to schedule community tours for the girls competing in the Distinguished Young Women of Indiana 2012 program and the program judges (on separate days) in Kokomo during the week of February 20, 2012.  What a blast!  Both groups enjoyed learning more about Kokomo through these interactive tours during their visit to our city.  I snapped several photos to share!  Many thanks to Cindy Locke, Kay Frazer, and Jim Parsons (all pictured below) for giving these outstanding tours to our special guests!

These photos were taken at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory:

These were taken at the Elwood Haynes Museum:

These photos were taken at the Kokomo Automotive Museum:

For more information on all the attractions and museums in Kokomo, call the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau at 800-837-0971 or visit our website at www.visitkokomo.org.

Elwood Haynes 153rd Birthday Celebration: Celebrating the Life of the Inventor of America’s First Car

Elwood Haynes & America's First Car

The life and achievements of Elwood Haynes will be celebrated on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at the Elwood Haynes Museum in Kokomo.  Mr. Elwood Haynes was a resident of Kokomo for 35 years and left a legacy that is still tightly woven through our community today in both the automotive industry and through his work in metallurgy.  Haynes was the designer of America’s first commercially successful gasoline-powered horseless carriage in 1894 and was also the inventor of stainless steel in 1912, among many other notable achievements.  His invention of cobalt-based alloys (known as Stellite) is still manufactured in Kokomo today by Haynes International. 

Elwood Haynes Museum in Kokomo

The celebration of his 153rd Birthday will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Elwood Haynes Museum (also his former residence) at 1915 South Webster Street, located at the south end of Highland Park in Kokomo.  Join us for museum tours, historical slide show, new 2-D exhibit, and free cake and drinks.  Antique, classic, and custom cars, trucks & motorcycles are invited to participate in the car cruise-in during the celebration.  Curator’s Choice Awards will be presented at 3:00 p.m. 

In addition, there will be live entertainment and the Rev. Tom Hamilton will be the guest speaker.  The event is rain or shine, and admission is free.  For more information, call the Elwood Haynes Museum at 765-456-7500 or visit their website.

Explore Kokomo’s Automotive Heritage on the Indiana 500 Tour

The new Indiana 500 Tour launches today and focuses on Indiana’s great transportation and motorsports heritage.  Several sites in Kokomo are included on the tour.  Join us on Tuesday, May 11 as we celebrate the Indiana 500 Tour Kokomo kick-off at the Kokomo Automotive Museum at 1:30 p.m.  We also invite you to visit Kokomo as you travel the Indiana 500 Tour this year!  Learn about America’s First Car while visiting the Elwood Haynes Museum and Kokomo Automotive Museum and enjoy exciting racing at the Kokomo Speedway. 

America’s first car was developed in Kokomo by Elwood Haynes in 1894.  Visit the Elwood Haynes Museum, the famous inventor’s former residence, which now houses a collection of his possessions and inventions.  Then, take a drive down Boulevard Street (formerly named Pumpkinvine Pike) where Haynes took the first automobile test run and see the historical marker that marks the spot today.

Elwood Haynes

Stroll through the past at the Kokomo Automotive Museum.  Over 100 antique automobiles and memorabilia are on display, including the second car invented by Elwood Haynes in 1895 and many other early autos built in Kokomo.  If you enjoy automobiles, this is the place to be! 

Don’t forget lunch!  Enjoy a hand-breaded tenderloin, burger, or chocolate malt at one of the popular diners or drive-ins in Kokomo.  Jamie’s Soda Fountain, Ray’s Drive-In, Artie’s Tenderloin, Ned’s Corner Pub, and B&K Root Beer are all great choices. 

Experience a night of fast racing at the Kokomo Speedway.  From non-wing sprints to midgets and stock cars to mini-sprints, there is something for every racing fan.  Races are held on Sunday nights from May into September.  

For more information on Kokomo, visit www.VisitKokomo.org or call 800-837-0971.  To learn more about the Indiana 500 Tour, go to www.Indiana500Tour.com.

What Is Your 2010 Resolution?

Here we are at the start of a new year again.  As I rang in the start of 2010 last week, I began to think of all the resolutions that I have made over the years and how many of those I have actually kept (not many!)  I would like to suggest a new resolution to think about this year . . . plan to travel more in 2010. 

No matter if you go somewhere across the country, within your state, or just visit attractions in your own community, traveling inspires new experiences, an opportunity to try new cuisine, and the chance to learn about new places and people.  It can also give you a much needed break from the regular busyness of life to relax and take time for yourself.   

I encourage everyone to take the time and effort to plan a getaway this year.  Whether you plan a trip to Kokomo, to Indiana, or even down the road from where you live, don’t miss the chance to discover something new in 2010.  Here are some great (and budget-friendly) ideas to start.  Happy travels!

• Take a fascinating tour at the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory to see the production of art glass and watch a glass blowing demonstration.
• Learn about the inventor of America’s First Car at the Elwood Haynes Museum.
• Visit the stunning Seiberling Mansion, filled with late-Victorian architecture, hand-carved woodwork, and local history exhibits.
• Take a stroll through the past at the Kokomo Automotive Museum, containing over 100 antique automobiles and memorabilia. 
• Visit Old Ben, the World’s Largest Steer, in Kokomo’s Highland Park. 
• For more Kokomo area attractions, check out our website and download our visitors guide at www.VisitKokomo.org.

Elwood Haynes Celebration This Weekend

Visitors to the Elwood Haynes Museum will be in for a sweet surprise on Sunday, October 11, when Kokomo celebrates the 152nd Birthday of Elwood Haynes.  In honor of his birthday, the Elwood Haynes Museum will offer tours, a car show, new photo exhibit, historical slide show, live musical entertainment, free cake, and a special appearance by guest speaker Howdy Bell.  The event is open from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and all activities are free.  Join us as we celebrate the life of Elwood Haynes!

Most known for inventing America’s First Car in 1894, Mr. Haynes also invented stainless steel and the super alloy stellite, among other great inventions.  The Elwood Haynes Museum is located in his former residence at 1915 South Webster Street, and is dedicated to sharing the story of his life in Kokomo, including a collection of his possessions and inventions.  In addition, a revolving exhibit of Haynes automobiles are on display in the garage.  For more information, call 765-456-7500.

Elwood Haynes … A Great American Inventor

Elwood Haynes was truly an extraordinary person.  His former Kokomo residence is now the Elwood Haynes Museum with knowledgeable staff dedicated to telling the story of this great American inventor.  

Mr. Elwood Haynes

Best known for inventing America’s first successful, commercially built automobile in 1894, Mr. Haynes also invented other well-known items that we use everyday, such as stainless steel which he invented in 1912.  He invented a super alloy called Stellite in 1906, and is used today in nuclear power plants, space launches, jet plane engines, dental and surgical tools, and more. 

Visitors to the Elwood Haynes Museum will be given a tour of his former home and learn about his life while viewing a collection of his possessions and inventions.  A 1905 Haynes Model “L” is on display on the first floor of the home, with three other Haynes automobiles displayed in the garage.  Rooms on the second floor feature items that chronicle the industrial history of Central Indiana.   

The Elwood Haynes Museum is located on the edge of Highland Park in Kokomo

The Elwood Haynes Museum is located at 1915 S. Webster Street in Kokomo and is open Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 am-4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm.  Admission is free, and group tours are given by appointment.  For more information, call 765-456-7500.  We invite you to visit Kokomo, Home of America’s First Car!  Visit our website for information on other attractions in the Kokomo area.  

Tour Groups Visit Kokomo

Visitor spending is economic development.  Whether visitors are passing through Kokomo on their way to another destination, visiting friends and relatives, or in town to take part in a meeting or a tour group, people are coming to Kokomo to enjoy our community and spend money. 

A  group of 31 people from Lafayette are in Kokomo today for a tour around the city.  They will visit the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Factory, Elwood Haynes Museum, Highland Park (where they will meet Old Ben – the World’s Largest Steer), Seiberling Mansion, and the Kokomo Automotive Museum.  These are truly a few of our community treasures that share our local history and heritage with visitors. 

Group tour at the Elwood Haynes Museum

Another tour group from Westerville, Ohio will be in Kokomo next week for a 2-day tour.  Groups come from all over Indiana and the United States to visit our city.  Three groups from Ohio and a group from Illinois are coming later this year and a group from Iowa is coming in April 2010.  The Kokomo area is rich in heritage and sometimes we (as residents) forget what our community has to offer and how much fun others have visiting our city.                 

Each year tour groups come to Kokomo to visit our attractions, eat in our restaurants, and spend money on gifts and souvenirs.  Sometimes these groups are large and bring a motorcoach bus with 50 people, and sometimes the groups are small clubs or church groups visiting Kokomo with 20 members.  For groups staying overnight in Kokomo hotels, evening entertainment and dinner can be arranged to give visitors the full Kokomo experience. 

Tour group enjoys dinner with the cast of "The Wedding of Emma Seiberling"

The Kokomo Visitors Bureau offers free assistance to groups planning tours.  We can help plan an itinerary based on the group’s interests, block hotel rooms, provide step-on guides, and make all necessary reservations and arrangements to make your trip as smooth as possible.  We want our visitors to have a great experience during their visit in hopes they will return again and again. 

Do you have a group that you want to bring to the Kokomo area?  Contact us to find out how we can help!  Call 800-837-0971 or email information@visitkokomo.org.