MILWAUKEE--(Business Wire)--
The Harley-Davidson Museum, located in Harley's hometown of
Milwaukee for nearly 105 years, opened its doors for the first time to
the public today. The Museum opening kicked off with a
Harley-Davidson-style "ribbon cutting" ceremony in which a motorcycle
primary chain wrapped around a Museum tower was cut with an acetylene
torch. Festivities - including the Harley-Davidson, Inc. president and
CEO Jim Ziemer receiving his first tattoo, a 2008 Super Glide Custom
bike build-off, and live music - will continue all weekend.
"Harley-Davidson has dreamed about building this Museum for a long
time," said Jim Ziemer, president and chief executive officer of
Harley-Davidson, Inc. "It adds a whole new dimension to the
Harley-Davidson experience."
The Museum exhibits tell the stories of the extraordinary people,
products, history and culture of Harley-Davidson. The stories are told
through both chronological and thematic exhibits, which are linked
together by a chronological procession of landmark motorcycles from
the Company's 105-year history. Vintage photographs, posters and other
artifacts explain major moments in the Company's history such as the
entrepreneurial start in 1903, survival during the Great Depression,
involvement in WWII, and the landmark buy-back from AMF in 1981.
Along side the history galleries, four galleries dive deeper into
specific topics of importance to Harley-Davidson culture. The Engine
Room provides an education on Harley-Davidson engines and the science
behind how they work. Another exhibit explains how motorcycle
competition spurred the creation of motorcycle clubs and includes a
recreation of a 1920s board track complete with factory race bikes
banking a corner. Elvis Presley's motorcycle is featured in an exhibit
on customization along with paperwork proving that he purchased it
just days before he became famous with the hit single, "Heartbreak
Hotel." The Design Lab gives a look into the process of developing a
new Harley-Davidson motorcycle from concept to manufacturing.
"Riders will instantly feel at home at the Harley-Davidson
Museum," said Stacey Schiesl, Harley-Davidson Museum director. "And
those who aren't yet riders will be able to experience the passion
that riders feel every time they fire up their motorcycles."
In addition to enjoying a variety of exhibits, Museum patrons will
also be able to take a peek into a portion of the previously private
Archives, home to hundreds of motorcycles and thousands of artifacts
and historical photographs.
Beyond the exhibits and Archives, Museum visitors and the general
public can tap into the Harley-Davidson experience in a number of
other ways - from grabbing a boldly flavored American meal in Motor,
the Museum's 150-seat restaurant, or Cafe Racer, a grab-and-go dining
spot, to reading the various personalized messages on the Living the
Legend rivets, found on curved steel walls and in plazas. With
customizable indoor and outdoor spaces, the Museum also provides a
variety of unique special event spaces that can accommodate an
intimate gathering of 20 to freewheeling festivities for 15,000. The
Museum site, located on 20 acres of park-like green space and bordered
by the Menomonee River on three sides, is open to the public free of
charge, 24 hours a day.
Timed tickets to the Museum are on sale online at
www.h-dmuseum.com/tickets. General admission tickets are $16 for
adults, $12 for students and seniors, $10 for children (ages 5-17
years), and children under 5 years of age will be admitted free with
an accompanying adult. Visit www.h-dmuseum.com for additional details
on the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Tickets to the Museum are not available during the Harley-Davidson
105th Anniversary celebration, August 28-31, and Harley-Davidson 105th
Anniversary tickets do not include admission to the Museum.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) is the parent company for the group of
companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell
Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight street, custom and
touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts,
accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company
produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts,
accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc.
provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to
Harley-Davidson/Buell dealers and customers.
Laughlin/Constable
Stephanie Schultz, 414-270-7261
sschultz@laughlin.com
Cell: 262-370-1100
or
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Rebecca Bortner, 414-343-8479
rebecca.bortner@harley-davidson.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
