SPRINGFIELD – It was rolling history.

There was a fairly steady stream on vintage Indian Motocycles riding onto the grounds of the Springfield Museums on July 24 for the seventh annual Indian Day, a celebration of the Indian, the first American motorcycle.

The motocycles – the “r” was not part of the word used by the company – were produced in Springfield from 1901 to 1953 in Springfield.

Museum officials said the event has drawn Indian owners from as far away as Florida and Quebec. Guy McLain, the director of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, described Indian Day as a “great social event” for Indian enthusiasts.

For motorcycle fans the rally was a rare chance to see the more than 30 Indians on display at the museum and the 40 or so that were ridden to the event.

Indian Day included, not just a rally of bikes, but also people selling vintage and replacement parts for people restoring an Indian, as well as shirts and other items.

Tim Baer from Monson was selling both reproductions of classic Indian ads, but also a wide variety of books and his magazine “The Motorcyclist Post,” which covers vintage bikes.

He said he publishes the books and magazines to pass motorcycle history to the next generation. He is an Indian owner as well, but doesn’t ride it. Instead it has a place of honor in his living room.

Bill Cawley of Pittsfield was among those riders who brought his pride and joy to Indian Day. Cawley explained to Reminder Publications he bought his 1951 Indian about a year ago from a person who had been storing it in a barn for 20 years.

He cleaned it up, put new tires and seat on it and replaced the fluids.

“On the third kick, it started up,” he said with pride.

He wasn’t sure what model it was, but said he had been told it was probably a bike designed for police work.

“It’s quite a mystery,” he added.

The red paint wasn’t the original either and Cawley thought it was the work of the previous owner. He said he wouldn’t try to restore the paint job, as it’s part of that bike’s history.

Cawley said when he rides it, “The smile reaches across the back of my neck.”