Re: National Packard Museum Show, Warren, OH - July 19-25, 2010

Posted by BH On 2010/7/27 9:13:40

ScottG -

Thanks for the pix! I was a bit disappointed with the vehicle turnout, this year, but it looks like there were some cars that I missed.

Due to problems at home, I didn't get to the show until 1PM, and cars were leaving before 3PM. While Gettysburg may have cut in on attendance, I'm sure the weather was also a factor.

It felt even hotter than 94F on the parking lot of the Music Hall, where the show was held this year. I prefer the relative shade of the South Lawn of the Music Hall, with the W.D Packard Concert Band playing, outdoors, in the afternoon.

Still, I was glad to run into a few friends, including Randy Berger, who kept me hydrated with plenty of ice-cold bottled water.

For me, the highlight of the trip was the Museum itself, and not just because of the air conditioning - LOL!

The new addition to the Museum, dubbed "The Great Hall" hosts their permanent collection of Detroit-built Packards. While the structure is finished, inside and out, it appears that the display area is still something of a work in progress. Judging from an architectural drawing hanging on one wall, I get the feeling that some intended display fixtures will give it an auto show appearance. In fact, they have the original pushbutton transmission control display that was used in the 1956 auto show circuit.

The Warren Museum sure has come a long way, having started out with nothing more than a storefront on Courthouse Square, and then renovating what was once a pool house, just in time for the Centennial.