CRESCO, Iowa — Featherlite Trailers participated in a custom build for the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS) History on Wheels mobile museum. The new traveling exhibit showcases Indiana’s automotive and racing history. Housing the museum is a 53-foot long, 2-axle trailer with two slideouts that expands the interior space to nearly 1,000 square feet. Featuring interactive touchscreen monitors and static displays, the Auto Indiana exhibit aboard History on Wheels gives visitors a new way to experience history. History on Wheels will begin participating in community and private events starting in May 2017.
“This was a fun project for our team to get involved with,” says Mark Ackley, specialty sales manager at Featherlite. “We’ve been building customized racing trailers for several decades now, and it’s fitting that we had a chance to work on a trailer that showcases Indiana’s contributions to the auto industry and racing.”
Traveling to events, History on Wheels looks just like any other semi-trailer found on the road, but when it arrives on site, the trailer transforms into a 1,000-square-foot mobile museum, complete with air-conditioning. The trailer features two huge slide-outs that extend at the push of a button, a large generator that provides power for the interactive exhibits and museum quality LED lighting. There is a 2,000-pound freight liftgate that helps with loading exhibits and doubles as a grand entrance. In addition, the trailer’s custom graphics make the trailer stand out driving down the road as well as at events.
“We’re happy with the result of this customized trailer,” says Curt Barsic, Project Manager at IHS. “After the trailer was completed, our team began working hard to create the exhibits and displays. We can’t wait to hit the road. Hoosiers around the state are really going to enjoy this unique experience.”
IHS’s History on Wheels mobile museum will begin traveling the state of Indiana in May. You can find event locations and details on IHS’s website, indianahistory.org.
About Featherlite Trailers
Featherlite Trailers, headquartered in Cresco, Iowa, built the first all-aluminum trailer in 1973 and throughout its 40-year history has been a leading American trailer brand. Today, Featherlite manufactures custom trailers for event marketing, medical care, emergency response, education, business, sports, vending, equine, agriculture and recreational segments. For more information, call 800-800-1230 or visit www.featherlitespecialty.com
About Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the IHS has been Indiana’s StoryTeller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. IHS is headquartered in the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis.
