Gilmore Car Museum administrator next speaker at breakfast series

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—An administrator of a renowned local car museum will be the next presenter at the Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series hosted by Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business.

Linda Maupin, senior director, museum administration, of the Gilmore Car Museum, will discuss "The Gilmore Car Museum—America's Signature Collection^®" at 8 a.m. Friday, April 24, in 2150 Schneider Hall.

The event is free and open to the public and begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (269) 387-6059 or at wmich.edu/business/mercantile-rsvp. Free parking is available.

Gilmore Car Museum

The Gilmore Car Museum was ignited from Donald S. Gilmore’s passion for restoring classic vehicles. To accommodate his growing collection, Gilmore acquired 90 acres of farmland in southwest Michigan and moved several historic barns to the site, many of which house exhibits today. The Gilmores established a non-profit foundation and opened the museum to the public in July 1966.

The museum has more than 300 vehicles on display in a range of brands and models. Exhibits within the museum capture different automotive eras and special exhibits showcase forgotten vehicle brands, hot rods and other automotive classics.

In addition to the large collection of vintage vehicles, the museum includes historic structures, including a small-town train station, a fully functioning 1940s dinner, a recreated historic Shell Station and more.

The Gilmore Car Museum is a founding member of the National Association of Automobile Museums and is a member of several other museum and historical associations such as the American Alliance of Museums and the MotorCities National Heritage area, an affiliate of the National Parks Service.

Upcoming speakers

• May 29: Martha Huckabee, vice president of the board, Doctors Without Borders

About the Series

The Mercantile Bank of Michigan Breakfast Speaker Series provides an opportunity for the local community to hear top business leaders and WMU faculty, alumni and friends of the Haworth College of Business discuss current topics of interest.

For more information or to register, contact the Haworth College of Business at (269) 387-6059 or at wmich.edu/business/mercantile-rsvp.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.