Company Collections: Harley-Davidson Builds a Museum.

Collecting is not just for you and me. Companies have collections too. Both Wifey and I have been involved with industrial companies in our working careers. Over 25 years, I have been privileged to visit hundreds of company lobbies – from the palacial Allen Bradley (now Rockwell) wood lined walls and natural fireplace to a greasy hall between the factory and office, and have been intrigued with the assortment of displayed items.

While many places simply have bragging displays, “Supplier Awards”, or a picture of a sports team the owner’s kid is on, some go beyond, and show antique machinery or vintage products. Several have wonderful displays of photos or prints showing their early work force.

Artworks adorn many lobbies. Tastes vary, modern art prevails. Gear companies surprise with wonders created from their products. Table tops, arms of chairs devised from large gear halves, and little people with bodies and heads comprised of gears are a delightful addition to a lobby.

What attracts artisans to these establishments?

Many companies display their products to show the range of their abilities. But old line companies show their past – with pictures, products and machines used to produce their wares.

Johnson Wax featured a display of old advertising tins in their waiting room off the lobby at their Racine, Wisconsin Highway 11 plant.

An old restored Evinrude outboard once adorned a terribly plain factory entrance at their former 68^th Street Milwaukee plant, similar to this one.

Briggs & Stratton has its past in pictures in their Wauwatosa facility.

This shows an old engine, and some of their early products.

This picture fascinates with its workforce being comprised of nearly all females. You’ll see them in coveralls, working at lathes during World War I! So much for “Rosie the Riveter” being the first!

This old restored machine is only one of many sitting in lobbies letting us know of the company’s humble beginnings.

Next year Harley-Davidson will celebrate their 105^th anniversary, and will open their own museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where they first started in business and still have their headquarters, two engine plants, warehouse and product development center.

A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel written by Rick Barrett informs us that the museum will display, for the first time, Harley’s vast collection of motorcycles, posters, promotional material, clothing and magazines.

One bike from each year will be included, as well as snowmobiles, golf carts, a bicycle and a balloon tired 1903 motorcycle with a serial # 1 stamped on it. Harley has an Art Deco painted motorcycle and drab military bikes. Harley purchased the motorcycle once owned by Elvis, a 1956 KH and papers that prove the sale.

A customized Harley named King Kong that’s more then 13 feet long and weighs 1000 lbs has two Knucklehead engines.

In keeping with the great looking visitors’ lobby and factory tour center at the Milwaukee Capitol Drive plant, the museum will have an industrial look with one wall of glass with exposed steel beams, and a view to the outside where rows of visitors’ bikes will be parked.

An estimated 350,000 visitors will have 130,000 square feet of the Harley experience in a facility to rival Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Atlanta’s Coca-Cola Museum.

Spawning other development in the area, a warehouse will be converted into an upscale boutique hotel catering to Harley riders.

But alas, would I tell you all this just to brag and try to get you to visit this fine city? Yes, I would!

But bring your cash and unload it at any of the fine antique and / or collectible stores, all around the area East from the Harley-Davidson Museum toward Lake Michigan. Then enjoy fine dining at a score of restaurants, and put a few coins in a slot machine, all within jogging distance of Harley’s soon to open masterpiece.

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