During your visit to the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, explore permanent collections and special limited time exhibits across the state-of-the-art, 55,000-square-foot facility including the renowned Presidential Carriage Collection. In the Museum Store, Studebaker National Museum memorabilia is available to purchase.
Studebaker National Museum Collection
Spread across the three floor museum, the Studebaker collection focuses on the century-long history of the Studebaker Corporation and the wagons, cars, truck and military vehicles it produced. In addition the collection of 120 cars, 70 of which can be found on display, the Museum includes a variety of other vehicles and products made locally as well as numerous photos and documents. Start your visit on the main level of the museum chronicling Studebaker history and vehicles from the 1800s to 1934 as well as family history of the Studebakers and the South Bend families who worked for the Studebaker Corporation. Ascending to the upper level of the Museum, you will find vehicles from 1934 onward. Studebaker Museum’s lower level displays military vehicles and equipment. Highlights in the Museum’s exhibits include: Studebaker production vehicles and concept cars, Packard production and concept cars that reflect Studebaker’s merger with Packard, a Conestoga wagon used by pioneers to cross the Great Plains, a 1902 Studebaker Electric, Studebaker military vehicles built during World War I and World War II, Hummers including a Humvee and a specially-painted Studebaker Champion used in the filming of The Muppet Movie.
The Presidential Carriage Collection
The Studebaker National Museum boasts the largest Presidential Carriage Collection anywhere. See and learn about the company’s historic presidential carriages used by Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley.
Ulysses S. Grant
A basic model of the landau style was built for Ulyssess S. Grant by Studebaker to use during his term as president from 1873 to 1877. President Grant liked the carriage so much that he continued using the vehicle at his private residence until his death in 1885. Throughout the carriages use, it transported distinguished guests such as President Rutherford B. Hayes, King Kalakaua and Civil War General William T. Sherman.
Benjamin Harrison
On display in the Studebaker National Museum is one of the five carriages Benjamin Harrison ordered from the Studebaker Manufacturing Company after being elected President of the United States. Simple in design with silver and ebony trimmings and with no formal insignias, the carriage was well suited for President Harrison’s unpretentious nature.
Abraham Lincoln
The open barouche model carriage with six springs and solid silver lamps, door handles and hubcaps was presented to Lincoln shortly before his second inauguration. It is known as the very carriage Lincoln took to Fords Theater in Washington, D.C on the night he was assassinated. It was one of the first items entered into the Studbaker Corporation’s historic vehicle collection and is one of its most treasured.
William McKinley
The William McKinley carriage was custom-built for President McKinely in the 1890s to serve his home in Canton, Ohio. Built for summer use, the carriage features rubber tires and a removable extension top. The seats have spring backs and cushions. The Studebaker Corporation purchased the carriage in November of 1925, after the historic vehicle was authenticated by John Bederman, McKinley’s personal coachman and Albert Lewis, who cared for the carriage for a time after the president’s death.
- Be sure to stop by the Museum Store in the Studebaker National Museum. Apparel, books and videos, jewelry, home décor and collectibles unique to the Studebaker National Museum and South Bend area are available to purchase.
- In addition to its permanent collection displayed across its three floors, the Studebaker National Museum features special limited time exhibits.
- Look for the shrubs that spell out Studebaker, located on the East Side of the Museum along Chapin Street.