RV Hall of Fame Museum Antique RV Elkhart Indiana RV Travel Destination

Tracing Our RV Roots
At The RV Hall of Fame Museum

We’ve come a long way, baby! Today’s RVs offer the ultimate in creature comforts, featuring everything from microwave/convection ovens that make cooking a snap, to rooftop satellite dishes that allow us to tune in the world, and auxiliary generators that let us run all of our appliances wherever we may be, even in the middle of the desert miles from the nearest electric outlet. We can control our climate with rooftop air conditioners, and furnaces to ward off the chill when the temperature dips down too low.

Early RVers didn’t have it quite so good. The first recreational vehicles consisted of little more than a wagon with a mattress, maybe a screen to ward of flies, and a kerosene lantern. Yet, as the RV industry evolved, some very interesting refinements appeared on the market.

The RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum in Elkhart, Indiana showcases the growth, history, and accomplishments of the recreational vehicle and mobile home industry.

Located in a 15,000 square foot display area, the Museum displays many early recreational vehicles, along with photos and memorabilia that trace the history of RVing from the earliest days. Exhibits dating back to 1913 show the evolution of RVs, and give visitors the opportunity to have a first hand look at the many changes that have taken place over the years.

The oldest unit in the Museum’s collection is a custom built 1913 Earl travel trailer, built in Los Angeles and recognized as the oldest non-tent RV in the world. The Earl was restored in 1980, with careful attention to every detail. Features include rubber tires, a copper wire screen to keep pests away, and clear mica and canvas covers that roll down over the windows. The trailer is pulled by a restored 1913 Model T runabout.

Several nice old teardrop style travel trailers are displayed, giving a glimpse at early amenities our camping predecessors enjoyed. The trailer displays include every kind of early unit, from the 1930s through the 1960s.

The travel trailer display features some wonderful old units, many with state of the art equipment, including models manufactured by Schult, Kozy Kamp, and Carriage.

An example of one of the earliest Class A motorhomes is on display, a 1967 Winnebago typical of the type that introduced so many Americans to the world of RVing. It is interesting to walk through the Winnebago and see how, even thirty years ago, designers were concerned with making the best use of every available space.

One very interesting exhibit is what appears at first glance to be a truck mounted overhead camper. Closer inspection reveals this is actually an early Class C motorhome mounted on a 1969 Ford pickup chassis. Manufactured by Stites Camper Manufacturing, of Henderson, Colorado, the RV was grafted onto the truck and helped set the style for today’s smaller motorhomes.

Another interesting display is a tiny aluminum 1957 Serro Scotty combination cargo/travel trailer that sold new for $495. Manufactured in Pennsylvania, the dual duty Scotty was popular with the early camping crowd who also needed a handy trailer for chores around the home.

Many manufacturers have come and gone over the years, and visitors will see examples of RVs on display that may not exist anywhere else in the country. It is fascinating to look through these exhibits and note the changes over the years. More than one RVer has compared the RVs on display to their current trig, and been grateful for all of the design innovations we enjoy today.

The RV/MH Hall of Fame Museum is operated by the RV/MH Heritage Foundation, Inc., an independent non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the recreational vehicle and mobile home industry, and honoring the individuals who have made the greatest contributions to the industry through the Hall of Fame. Founded in 1972, the Foundation’s Hall of Fame came into being when the publishers of eight national trade magazines agreed to recognize industry leaders. The Hall of Fame existed only on paper for the first twenty years.

Sometime in the late 1980s, a committee was formed to raise funds to buy land and erect a building. Shortly after doing so, the money ran out and the building that would be the present day headquarters sat empty for five years. In the summer of 1994, a change in management brought Carl Ehry to the helm as president of the organization, with Al Hesselbart named vice president. Things began to happen almost immediately.

Neither Ehry or Hesselbart had worked in the RV industry, instead they were experienced in running non-profit organizations. Ehry, was the local director for the United Way, and had been the youngest ordained Salvation Army captain in history, before he reached the age of 21. Hesselbart had worked with the Boy Scouts prior to joining the RV/MH Heritage Foundation. "Our saving grace was that we didn’t come from the industry," recalls Hesselbart. "So we didn’t owe anybody anything, and nobody owed us."

The duo set out to get the Hall of Fame and Museum open to the public. At the Louisville RV Show, in December, 1994, they met the late John Hanson, founder of Winnebago. Hanson invited them to the company’s headquarters in Forest City, Iowa. After listening to their story, he asked what their budget was. Hanson recognized the importance of what the Foundation was trying to accomplish, and wrote them a $30,000 check on the spot to cover the first three months of operation.

John Hanson’s gift came at an opportune time. With a monthly budget of $10,000 and only $4,700 in the bank, the Hall of fame was in danger of closing before his windfall. Hanson’s gift allowed the group to get off the ground, and the Foundation continues to grow and flourish.

Today the Foundation has an annual budget of $400,000 and through memberships, as well as contributions from the RV and mobile home industry, is able to continue its work. A major fund raiser is the Foundation’s annual raffle for a motorhome, which kicks off every summer.

In addition to the Museum and Hall of Fame, the Foundation maintains an extensive industry library, with copies and back issues of most of the RV related publications available for researchers and visitors to enjoy. The collection includes every Woodall’s campground directory since 1948, a copy of every issue of the Family Motor Coach Association magazine, and consumer and trade publications. Hesselbart welcomes visitors to use the library. "There is no sense in saving the past if you hide it from everybody," he says. A lot of the literature in the library archives, including old publications and product brochures, are not available anywhere else in the world.

The Foundation is involved in an expansion project now, and recently purchased thirty acres on the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), where they plan to build a 50,000 square foot facility that will be the new home of the Museum, Library, and Hall of Fame, and also provide room for a 10,000 square foot Conference Center capable of accommodating 1,000 people. Major industry leaders have pledged millions of dollars in support to build the new facility, and when completed, it will be a wonderful showcase of the RV and mobile home industry.

The Museum and Hall of Fame is located in Elkhart, Indiana, take Exit 96 South off the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/I-90) to County Road 17, then just past the east bound Toll Road entrance turn left (east) on Executive Parkway and go to the parking lot of the RV/MH Hall of Fame. There is plenty of parking for any size RV. You can learn more at the museum's website at www.rvmhhalloffame.org