Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the Pontiac Transportation Museum open to the public?
May 16, 2024! We expect to be open most weeks on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The website and Google will shortly see updates to convey the specific hours. The museum is expected to grow into 6 or 7 day operation as we further mature. Note also that selected events the museum hosts will occassionally interrupt the normal open hours.
Will the Michigan museum replace the Pontiac-Oakland Museum and Resource Center that is currently on Route 66?
In short – no! The two museums are guided by separate Boards, but by charter have selected shared Directors. They have different missions and “scope” of their intended collection. The Michigan Pontiac Transportation Museum will cover the wheeled-transportation history of the Pontiac community, including products, people, and industrialization related to this areas transportation legacy. It also has an intended role in revitalizing the community’s economy and educational organizations. We think many people are going to want to visit both!
Is the Museum focused on the Pontiac brand?
Our focus is on all types of wheeled transportation that the community of Pontiac was involved in designing or building. This includes carriages and wagons starting in the first half of the 19th century. And it includes just about every type of truck that has ever hit the roads – and even some amphibious ones that hit the water! It includes motorized bikes . . . and prior to World War II there were a rather surprising amount of cars (and trucks) built in the city outside of the Pontiac and GMC brands. We want to excite, educate, and engage patrons in all of these legacies of the city.
Is this just another history museum on cars?
A very significant part of the PTM’s mission involves educational outreach to the community – particularly STEAM-related education in Pontiac primary, secondary, and vocational schools. Historically, Pontiac was a wealthy community built on the business successes associated with these skills as applied first to the carriage, and later automotive industry. The health of our surrounding community is still strongly tied to providing technical skills to automotive industry companies. We want young people in Pontiac to understand that history and be equipped with the skills necessary today.
What if I’m not a “motorhead”?
People of all types and interests are likely to be intrigued by the breadth of displays and interactive learning present in our plans. The social history of Pontiac, ethnicity, architecture and land usage, famous people and families, and cultural contributions of the region are all inextricably linked to this transportation legacy. And this is not just archaic ancient history – as an example: Pontiac built electric cars and trucks over 100 years ago! – and today in the GM Orion Plant, 5 miles north of city hall, one of the highest volume electric cars in the world was built – by a UAW local that has represented Pontiac workers for about 80 years.
Your own questions are welcome at admin@pontiactransportationmuseum.org