We take the privilege of having cars for granted on a daily basis. Imagine how hard life would be if cars were never invented? 

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum gives you the opportunity to step back in time and see the history of cars. 

The Auburn Automobile Company was founded in 1900 out of the Eckhart Carriage Company when brothers Frank and Morris Eckhart turned their attention to automobiles.

The Auburn Automobile Company produced its first automobile in 1903, and the company was sold to Chicago investors in 1919.

However, just two years after setting a sales record, mass production of automobiles was moved from Auburn to Connersville in 1933. By 1936, production of Auburn and Duesenberg vehicles came to an end, and Auburn Automobile Company filed for bankruptcy in 1937.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Company was established in 1938 when Dallas Winslow purchased the administration building, where they sold stock parts and made repairs. Eventually, the business was sold to Glenn Pray in 1960, who moved operations to Oklahoma. 

A year later, the administration building in Auburn was sold to Marshall Clothing Company. After being unable to sell the building at an auction, space was leased for a motorcycle repair shop, as well as a spot for Essex Corporation to store cardboard boxes.

Following a fire in 1973, the building was purchased by Auburn Automotive Heritage Inc., who went on to create the museum.

Now, the museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary on July 6 with free admission, special displays, oral history recordings, and activities.

“The celebration of our 50th anniversary in 2024 is a significant milestone for our museum,” said Executive Director and CEO Brandon J. Anderson. “The museum has significantly evolved in the past 50 years, and we are ecstatic to share our history, collections, exhibits, and programs with our guests and showcase what makes the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum one of the most unique automotive museums in the country.”

More than a day

The 50-year celebration is not being relegated to a single day. Events are taking place through September to educate and celebrate. 

Among the events is a free outdoor concert from local country favorites The Hubie Ashcraft Band on Thursday, June 27, at the museum.

Enjoy some country tunes and delicious drinks along with checking out the museum. 

On July 6 at 9 a.m., you can begin your day with Cars & Coffee at the museum. If you can’t make it that day, there are actually more Cars & Coffee events, where regional car owners can show off their rides on Aug. 17 and Sept. 21.

More free music at the museum comes on July 25 at 7 p.m. when the Auburn Community Band performs.

Sight to behold

On July 6, you will have the opportunity to check out all the cars on hand as well as learn a deep history of the facility.

Following the 1973 fire, a lot of fundraising and support came from the community. Sam Jacobs purchased the building and restored it so the Auburn area can continue to celebrate its automotive history. 

“When the restoration was completed and 24 automobiles had been borrowed for exhibit, the museum opened to the general public on Independence Day weekend, 1974,” a description on the museum’s website says. “For an admission price of $1.50, astonished visitors experienced the splendor of the 12,000-square-foot showroom in its original appearance. 

“Accessible once again was a magnificent example of art deco architecture, glorifying America’s zenith of machine-age style. Every remarkable characteristic of the main display room, designed by A.M. Strauss of Fort Wayne, had been revitalized: the elaborate, hand-painted ceiling friezes (breath-taking borders of ornamental plaster in colorful relief), ornate Italian three-tiered chandeliers, geometric terrazzo floor, 72 etched-glass side lights, gracefully curving central grand staircase, vertical wall panels, Philippine walnut woodwork, soaring plate glass windows carrying ‘Auburn,’ ‘Cord,’ and ‘Duesenberg’ in blazing gold letters.

“The museum’s grand opening ceremonies were held Labor Day weekend, 1974, with Mayor John Foley cutting the ribbon.”

Today, the museum is a renowned location where millions of visitors have been able to experience the history of automobiles and walk through a time capsule of rare cars. With more than 140 cars, from racers to antiques, there are so many interesting pieces to see. There is even a hood ornament exhibit with 150 unique car mascots that used to be a staple for automobiles. 

For more information, head over to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum’s website. 

Celebrate 50 years of history and see some really interesting machines that helped shaped the automobiles of today.