Saturday, October 10, 2009, could not have been a more perfect day to witness the unveiling of the new Museum of Springfield History in Springfield, Massachusetts. At the heart of this first-class museum are three incredible galleries: the Indian Motocycle collection, with over 30 of the best selections of Indian motorcycles in the world; a premier gun collection, with many of the finest examples of Smith & Wesson firearms ever produced; and some of the best Springfield automobiles ever assembled, including an exact replica of the very first automobile in America, the Duryea, invented in downtown Springfield in 1893. Each gallery shows what a profound impact the Springfield area had on our nation, and the world, as an industrial hub during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The donor of the Indian Motocycle collection is 93-year-old Esta K. Manthos, owner and director of the former Indian Motocycle Museum on Hendee Street. A premier Indian Motocycle historian, Esta got her first taste of motorcycling 82 years ago, long before it was considered acceptable for a woman to ride. Over the span of several decades, she rode her motorcycle to all 50 states and collected Indian motorcycles, toys, and artifacts. When she decided she could no longer maintain the collection day-to-day, she offered it to the Springfield Museums so that it would remain in the hometown of the original “Wigwam” factory.

Smith & Wesson put Springfield on the map when it began producing large caliber cartridge revolvers for the United States Cavalry in the 19th century. Historians at the museum put 140 of the 1,500 firearms available to them on display to show the legacy of the gun-making industry in Springfield, which, to this day, is one of the major industries coming out of the region.

Benefactor M. Allen Swift was actually a West Hartford, Connecticut native who was very fond of Springfield. A fifth-generation gold beater, Allen was given a choice to either go to school or help his father run the family gold leaf business. If he chose the family business, his parents promised to buy him any car he wanted. Allen picked a $10,900, 1928 Springfield Rolls Royce. He owned that car 77 years, which put him on record as being the longest single owner of a British or Springfield-made Rolls Royce in the world. Allen lived to be 102. Two months before he passed away, he gave the car and a million dollars to the Springfield Museums. The money was to buy the building that now showcases Esta’s Indian Motocycle collection, the Smith & Wesson firearms exhibit, and Allen’s wonderful car.

To cap off the grand opening event, a vintage car and motorcycle show took place on the lawn. Hundreds of spectators flocked around the old vehicles, fascinated to learn how each was acquired and/or rebuilt. One Indian Scout owner, who goes by “Critter,” explained how he pieced together his bike, which was given to him in a crate. The engine, for instance, came from his neighbor who had it installed in a lawn tractor. The neighbor thought it was a Harley Davidson motor. When the motor finally gave out, the guy brought it to the local Harley shop to have it fixed. The Harley mechanic let him know he couldn’t fix it because it was an Indian motor. That’s when the neighbor gave the motor to Critter. One spectator, fascinated with the story, let Critter know he had Indian Scout parts in his barn that he’d like Critter to have, if interested.

Click here to see our complete slide show of antique cars and motorcycles featured at the grand opening of the Museum of Springfield History.Check back often for insight and photos of my family’s motorcycle-related adventures. And remember to join the conversation — you can comment on this post in our comment area below.