November 9, 2009

America On Wheels Kicks Off First Annual Fund Drive
Contributions Support Museum's Educational, Preservation Efforts

Allentown, Pa - America On Wheels kicked off its second Annual Fund Drive this week to raise money that will be used to support ongoing education, preservation and presentation programs that have quickly made this museum of over-the-road transportation one of the most popular destinations in the Lehigh Valley.

The goal of $100,000 will begin with an initial appeal made to visitors, friends and supporters of the museum. "We are asking everyone to band together to secure an ongoing successful future for Lehigh Valley's first transportation museum," said Executive Director Linda Merkel.

"The money raised through this campaign will enable us to continue to expand our educational and curatorial opportunities through the exploration of a wide variety of themes in automotive travel, design, art, fashion, music and manufacturing," Merkel said. "We continue to work hard on educational programs and our exhibits to showcase history."

America On Wheels is one of only a handful of institutions nationwide that houses and displays rare and authentic vehicles and artifacts depicting past, present and future transportation technologies. The popularity of exhibits such as Muscle Cars, Legends of Speed featuring Indianapolis 500 legend Mario Andretti's cars, and The Bulgari Collection - Automobiles of Excellence, has brought not only regional but a national attention to this regional treasure.

"No gift is too small to support the museum in continuing to prosper and maintain its world class collections and to educate and enlighten thousands of visitors yearly," Merkel said. "A gift to America On Wheels is an investment in the role the museum plays in the preservation and presentation of the history of transportation in America."

Easily accessible to a half-dozen other renowned cultural institutions in Allentown, AOW celebrates our nation's love affair with motorized and non-motorized over-the-road transportation and its permanent exhibits range from the Nadig - one of America's first automobiles, produced in Allentown - to the massive Mack Trucks that helped America become the most powerful nation in the world.

AOW also offers hands-on playtime exhibits and learning centers for the children and a souvenir shop for race fans and anyone with an affinity for our automotive legacy.

For more information: Visit the museum's website at www.americaonwheels.org, call the museum staff at 610-432-4200, or e-mail your questions to director@americaonwheels.org. The museum will be showcasing a 2009 Train Time Charity Holiday Exhibit from Nov. 27 through Dec. 27.

Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens; $3.50 for children ages 6 to 16. Children 5 and under are free.

For More Information:
Linda Merkel - Executive Director
America On Wheels Museum
5 N. Front St. Allentown, PA
(610) 432-4200
director@americaonwheels.org
www.americaonwheels.org