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National Motorcycle Museum - Anamosa, Iowa

dmonkey

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Over the weekend I revisited a favorite motorcycle spot in the midwest, the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. John Parham, the founder of J&P Cycles, who passed a few years ago had a large part in making the museum what it is today, having served as its chairman. The museum has bikes of all different makes and countries of origin, some owned by the museum and others on loan to it, along with lots of cool memorabilia and a library containing back issues of many popular motorcycle magazines. If you happen to ride or drive out to the area, the AmericInn by Wyndham in Anamosa, Iowa is a fine establishment to stay at, decorated with motorcycle artwork, has dedicated motorcycle parking spots, and will give you coupons for $1 off the $15 museum admission. There is also a J&P Cycles in Anamosa, Iowa should you find yourself in need of parts or gear. I would have filed this under trip reports, but I'm doing some cross country touring on my Moto Guzzi V7 instead of the Trail right now.

Depending on the route you take there, if you also find yourself crossing the Mississippi on I-80, it is worth the detour to visit Antique Archaeology (from the American Pickers TV show) in Le Claire, Iowa. Mike Wolfe is big into motorcycles and bicycles and stores some of his personal collection there on display along with what is for sale.

 

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dmonkey

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A few more photos from the museum.
 

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SneakyDingo

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There is a nice one called wheels through time in northwest north Carolina too. On the back side of the Smokey mountains. Near Cherokee.
I had to double check it was the same one but Dale's Wheels through Time was the one I was thinking of as well - "every bike in the museum actually runs" according to the youtuber who I was watching.
 

dmonkey

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Wheels Through Time is on my list! I'll be checking it out a bit later on this trip. If I have time I'd also like to revisit the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.
 

Cpd419

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Let me know if you are going to be in middle tennessee or close to southeast Ky if you have your bike we can maybe get a ride in.
 

dmonkey

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Just received an email stating that the museum is unfortunately closing. If it's been on anyone's list, might want to make it out that way before September.

Located in eastern Iowa in the small town of Anamosa, the National Motorcycle Museum has been home to over 500 motorcycles, a great bicycle collection and thousands of pieces of memorabilia. After 22 years in this location, however, the Board of Directors, lead by Chairman Jill Parham, has decided to close the Museum later this year. “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitation.” The Museum is one of about six motorcycle museums in America operated as a non-profit and was established in Iowa by J&P Cycles founders John and Jill Parham. As is proper with closing non-profits, the Museum is using professional counsel during the process. Owners of loaned motorcycles have been contacted, motorcycles that belong to the Museum will be liquidated at auction to pay bills. Much of the Parham Collection will be sold as well. If you would like to be informed of the sales, go to the Museum’s website and sign up for email, www.nationalmcmuseum.org. Since this is the unfortunate end of a fine museum, we hope you’ll make plans to visit one more time. Tentative closing date is September 5, 2023 giving visitors to Sturgis and the Blackhawk MC meet in Davenport a chance to stop by.
 

Tex68w

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Yea I just saw the news about them closing in the fall as well. Very bummed to hear this, the last time I was there was some 10 years ago. I will certainly plan for a trip back this year to see it all one last time.
 

dmonkey

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Looks like Mecum Auctions will handle the auctions for bikes owned by the museum that are to be sold with it closing:
 
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