Antique motorcycle exhibit at museum

Staff report

WARREN

The National Packard Museum’s 16th annual antique motorcycle exhibit will open Saturday and run through June 12.

This year’s exhibit, titled “What’s In Your Barn,” features 30 bikes manufactured between 1939 and 1983 that were once collecting dust and cobwebs in corn cribs and cow sheds as far away as France. The exhibit includes a number of “barn fresh” all-original bikes as well as motorcycles restored to pristine condition.

All of the motorcycles come with surprising stories of where and how they were found.

The Packard museum show is widely recognized as one of the nation’s finest motorcycle exhibits, having received the Antique Motorcycle Foundation’s highest honor, along with three-consecutive first place awards in the Interpretive Exhibits Category from the National Association of Automobile Museums.

The annual exhibit attracts visitors from around the world. Last year, the museum welcomed guests from 30 states and from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Poland and the United Kingdom.

“The purpose of the exhibit is to educate audiences about motorcycle and transportation history, and to promote the preservation, restoration and collection of antique motorcycles,” said Mary Ann Porinchak, the museum’s executive director. “This year’s exhibit is special. It is a celebration of motorcycle history and the passion of the enthusiasts whose vision of what the ‘barn find’ had been, and what it can be again, inspires them to bring these machines back to life.”

During the exhibit’s run, the museum will present its Saturday seminar series, included with the price of admission.

With the exception of the movie night, all lectures begin at 11 a.m.

Here is the schedule:

Feb. 20: “Restoration vs. Preservation: How to Care for Historic Motorcycles” by Derek E. Moore, Frederick C. and Kathleen S. Crawford of the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland.

March 22: Movie night.

May 14: Rider Safety followed by a vintage group ride (riders of newer bikes are also welcome), presented by Al Navecky and Terry Baxter of Warren.

The National Packard Museum, 1899 Mahoning Ave., is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 ($5 for seniors and children 7-12). Photography is welcome. For Group rates or information, go to packardmuseum.org or call 330-394-1899.