Staycation Sunday: Enjoy a Day of Mansions & Museums for FREE on August 9th

Sunday, August 9, 2015 has been chosen for Staycation Sunday at the Seiberling Mansion and Kokomo Automotive Museum, as well as the Elwood Haynes Museum. For one day only, museum admission will be waived for all visitors and everyone can tour and learn about our history for free!

The Seiberling Mansion, once home to wealthy industrialist Monroe Seiberling and later to George Kingston, is now home to the Howard County Museum. Visitors will see a restored Victorian home as well as exhibits of Howard County history. The museum will be open from 1:00pm-4:00pm and is located at 1200 West Sycamore. Free parking is available, with access from Walnut Street (north of the mansion). For more information about the mansion and museum, visit their website at howardcountymuseum.org.

The Kokomo Automotive Museum is located in the Ivy Tech Kokomo Event and Conference Center at 1500 N. Reed Road (SR 931). It features a selection of early made-in-Kokomo Haynes and Apperson autos. In addition to the more than 100 antique cars, those who appreciate vintage advertising and antiques will enjoy a great collection of signage and a variety of memorabilia relevant to the history of the cars on display. Its permanent exhibits trace the history of the automobile and the rich automotive history of the City of Firsts. The present feature exhibit highlights the life and times of the Ford Thunderbird. The museum is open from 10:00am-4:00pm. Learn more at kokomoautomotivemuseum.org.

The Elwood Haynes Museum is found in Haynes’ former residence at 1915 S. Webster in Kokomo, on the south end of Highland Park. The museum will be open for Staycation Sunday from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Visitors will not only tour the home of a remarkable innovator, but will see exhibits about his role in the great Indiana Gas Boom, his automotive inventions, metallurgical discoveries, and the companies he founded.

For more information on things to do in Kokomo, check out visitkokomo.org.

Kokomo Native, Inventor Elwood Haynes Inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame

Kokomo inventor Elwood Haynes received national attention and praise for his contributions to the auto industry on Thursday night as he was inducted into the 75th class of the Automotive Hall of Fame during the 2015 Induction & Awards Gala Ceremony in Detroit on July 23.

A serial inventor and early automotive manufacturer, Haynes test drove his first car, the Haynes Pioneer, on July 4, 1894 in Kokomo. The automobile – one of the first to be powered by a gasoline internal combustion engine – was designed by Haynes and built in Kokomo by Edgar and Elmer Apperson. Haynes and the Apperson brothers formed the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company (1896-1905), which was renamed the Haynes Automobile Company (1905-1924) after the Apperson brothers formed the Apperson Brothers Automobile Company. Haynes’ successful test drive occurred two years before Henry Ford’s Quadricycle and less than a year after Charles Duryea’s Motorized Wagon. Besides his automotive innovations, Haynes was also a dedicated metallurgist, inventing several commonly-used components including stainless steel and stellite.

“This is a huge event for our community and the most significant honor paid to Elwood Haynes and his legacy,” remarked Tim Rivers, Curator of the Elwood Haynes Museum. “It has been a long road to get to this day since submitting the nomination in August 2014, and we are both thrilled and pleased that this well-deserved distinction has been awarded to Mr. Haynes for his many contributions to the automotive industry.”

Elwood Haynes “Bud” Hillis, the only surviving grandchild of Elwood Haynes (center) and his sons Gary (L) and Jeff (R) pose with a 1922 Haynes Model 75 Tourister belonging to Kokomo residents Jeffrey and Mary Ellen Griffin at the 2015 Automotive Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Gala Ceremony.

The honor was accepted by Jeffrey Hillis, Elwood Haynes’ great-grandson. Elwood Haynes ‘Bud’ Hillis, Haynes’ only surviving grandchild, also attended the ceremony along with Haynes’ 6 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and representatives from Haynes International, City of Kokomo, the Elwood Haynes Museum, and other automotive dignitaries in Howard County. A 1922 Haynes Model 75 Tourister, owned by Kokomo residents Jeffrey and Mary Ellen Griffin, was featured on display during the induction ceremony.

Haynes was inducted into the Hall of Fame’s 75th class along with Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corp.; Luca di Montezemolo, former president of Ferrari; and Ratan N. Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons. Rodney O’Neal, former CEO and President, Delphi Automotive PLC, was also honored as the Hall of Fame’s 2015 Industry Leader of the Year. More than 250 individuals have been inducted in the Automotive Hall of Fame since its first class in 1967.