Lincoln Highway museum hosts vintage automobilia exhibit

An exhibit of artifacts recalling the early days of the Lincoln Highway opens Saturday at the Lincoln Highway Experience museum in Unity.

On loan from a private collector, the automobilia includes vintage tin and porcelain signs advertising cars, tires, oil and gasoline, the oldest of which is a G&J tire sign from 1937.

Also included is a complete Model A tool kit, vintage oil and gas pumps, postcards, promotional glassware and an automobile boot used as an anti-theft device on early autos with spoked tires.

Some items have ties to the local area, such as a sign from Jeannette-based General Tire, a 1938 calendar advertising a Jennerstown garage and a 1950s-era poster listing all Westmoreland County inspection stations.

The collection has been gathered over the past 15 years from auctions and online sources such as Craigslist and eBay.

Running through the end of October, the automobilia exhibit is the inaugural display in the museum’s new Gantz Gallery, says executive director Olga Herbert. The gallery is named for the late Fred Gantz, who donated his collection of Lincoln Highway memorabilia to the museum.

The collection can be viewed from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the museum at 3435 Route 30.

Regular museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Features include a virtual bike ride along the highway, neon display, restored tourist cabin, 1937 Packard auto, 1930s filling station facade, sculpture display, vintage gas pumps, gift shop, children’s activities and the restored 1938 Serro’s Diner.

Admission to the museum is $14, $5 for ages 7-17 and $2 for ages 4-6. Included with admission are a 60-page Lincoln Highway driving guide, a stamped Lincoln Highway postcard, use of an audio wand interpreting the exhibits and coffee and pie in the diner.

Details: 724-879-4241 or lhhc.org