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> Features > Pg 2 Feature Stories > Indian Day Returns to Springfield
Indian Day Returns to Springfield |
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Photo courtesy of Springfield Museums
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July 12, 2010
By Mike Briotta
PRIME Editor
SPRINGFIELD -- If you like vintage motorcycles, it's time to get your motor running and head out on the highway.
Indian Day is returning to Springfield next week with a celebration of the now-defunct brand of two-wheeled travel.
The event is set to include vendors, a D.J., and will require a $12.50 adult admission price for all Quadrangle museums. The day of celebration returns after an absence of about five years.
Springfield Museums have revived Indian Day, a long-standing celebration and rally of the classic cycles that were manufactured here from 1901 to 1953.
The new Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History currently houses a wealth of information about Indian cycles.
The motorcycles have taken on cult status among many collectors and motorcycle enthusiasts. Indian Day will take place July 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Springfield Museums.
"A lot of vintage Indians will be seen," said Guy McLain, director of Springfield Historical Museums. "We have over 30 in our collection. We also have 10-12 vendors, food available, and music."
From 1970 until 2005, Indian Day was conducted at a now-closed museum on Hendee Street in Springfield. Esta Manthos, the former museum's owner and president, spent more than four decades collecting Indian cycles, artifacts and memorabilia.
In 2007, she donated her collection to the Springfield Museums where it is now on view at the new site.
"Indian Day has been a tradition at the private museum, and we're pleased to have it for the first time here," said McLain. "It took a few years to get the building up and running, and in 2009 we decided we wanted to bring Indian Day back. It's a great event. Hopefully it will continue for many years."
It is the intent of the Springfield Museums to reestablish a connection with Indian cycle enthusiasts as well as draw the general public to Indian Day with the idea to make this an annual occurrence.
Although the full cost to attend Indian Day is $12.50 for adults, seniors will pay $9 for admission, and the reduced charge is $6.50 for children ages 3-17. The fee provides admission to all four Springfield Museums.
Anyone bringing a pre-1953 Indian will receive one free adult admission plus a commemorative Indian Day button.
"Being the first year, we're not certain about attendance numbers but we expect about 1,000 people will enjoy the event," McLain said. "We've received a lot of phone calls expressing interest in Indian Day."
As part of the day's festivities, Indian bike owners will be able to display their bikes with other privately-owned Indians in a secure parking area, as well as enter them into the best Indian bike contest.
Other features of the day are to include an outdoor show and rally of vintage Indians; vendors of food and motorcycle-related merchandise; and a tour of the famous collection of the former Indian museum in brand new air-conditioned facility.
Among many vintage Indian motorcycles, the museum features a 1913 V-twin and a 1917 opposed-cylinder "Model Zero." Stanley Cornell's 1912 racer with dual chains is credited with introducing the racing era. The now-famous Indian Scout came on the scene in 1920.
The creation of a Museum of Springfield History has been a long-term goal of the Springfield Museums. The 40,000-square-foot museum presents exhibits that interpret Springfield history in the larger context of American history in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Additional amenities of the museum include the Springfield History Library and Archives which contains 2.5 million manuscripts, 50,000 photographs, 30,000 books, thousands of reels of microfilm, and computer databases for researchers and family genealogists; and the Springfield History Theater, which shows historical documentaries and presents educational programs.
The Springfield Museums are located at the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards St. The Quadrangle Museums are composed of two art museums, one science museum and one history museum.
For more information about Indian Day, please call 800 625-7738, ext. 300 or log onto the Web site www.springfieldmuseums.org.
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