Growth Report 1: Packard Museum Obtains Replica of 1929 Speedster
WARREN, Ohio – The National Packard Museum in Warren last year opened several exhibits, presented seven programs, and secured $88,559 in grant funding for repairs and improvements, reports Mary Ann Porinchak, executive director.
One new exhibit honors Col. Jesse Vincent, Packard Motor Car Co.’s chief engineer from 1915 until 1952.
Vincent is a key figure in Packard history. A towering figure in American industrial history, he was largely responsible for Packard’s reputation for automotive, aviation and marine engine excellence.
The exhibit includes a narrated video about Vincent’s life, a Merlin engine and a re-creation of the special race car Vincent designed for testing Packard’s speedster engine.
The 1929 Packard Vincent Speedster was on loan from Gordon Logan’s Sport Clips Collection in Texas.
After seeing the exhibit and the museum, Gordon decided the 1929 Packard Vincent Speedster was where it belonged and gave it to the museum in December. The vehicle is a critical component of the exhibit and will now be on permanent display, Porinchak says.
The museum’s ability to operate within its budget is demonstrated in three areas of operations, she says:
Visitors: Guests from 14 countries and 47 states visited the museum last year, testimony to its popularity worldwide. The museum will continue to attract tourists with innovative and stimulating exhibits, Porinchak says.
Volunteers: Museum volunteers contributed a total of 5,148 hours of service ranging from leading tours, installing exhibits, vehicle maintenance and other duties. That equates to a volunteer support value of $163,706.
Contributions: In-kind contributions were conservatively estimated at $54,580. Donations included equipment, professional services, supplies, food, exhibit materials, facility maintenance, and camera surveillance.
With the value of the volunteer staff and in-kind contributions added to the museum’s budget, the real cost of operations and programming is $469,799, Porinchak says.
Pictured at top: This replica of the Jesse Vincent Speedster was donated to the National Packard Museum in December.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
