Climb into the driver’s seat with a trip to the Mack Trucks Historical Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania! Perfect for history buffs and truck lovers alike, this unique facility attracted over 9,000 visitors in 2015 and features dozens of beautifully restored Mack Truck models from 1907 to 1973, plus memorabilia, historical documents, and over 80,000 photographs. Just a 20-minute drive from the Sayre Mansion, guests can take a guided tour of the museum to learn all about the history of these iconic American automobiles! Here are some of our favorite things to see at the Mack Truck Museum.
Explore the Mack Truck Museum
History of Mack Trucks
Founded in 1900 by Jack and Gus Mack in Brooklyn, New York, Mack Trucks was originally known as the Mack Brothers Company. The company produced its first motorized vehicle in 1900, then moved their headquarters to Allentown, PA, in 1905. Although Mack Trucks has since relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina, the museum is housed in the same building that was used as a truck testing center. Today, Mack continues to be one of the Lehigh Valley’s largest manufacturers and employs about 1,000 people at its Lower Macungie truck plant.
Museum Highlights
The oldest vehicle in the museum is an original sightseeing tour bus that was built by the Mack brothers in 1901. This gas-operated, open-air bus used to carry up to 26 tourists around the streets of Chicago in the summer and New Orleans in the winter for over 25 years. Guests can view dozens of other Mack Trucks like antique fire engines, as well as a few current models including the Megatron Truck from Dreamwork’s “Transformers 3”.
In addition to the awesome trucks, the museum also features an impressive collection of memorabilia. You’ll find toy trucks, advertising signs, and even a coin-operated Bulldog kid’s ride. There are also several full-size truck motors on display where guests can admire how large they are and learn about how they work. The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, with free guided tours offered every 30 minutes.
Upcoming Events
Each year in the fall, the Mack Truck Museum hosts Trucktoberfest, a fun and exciting event for car enthusiasts of all ages. On Saturday, September 10, 2016, visitors can head to the festival and enjoy new and antique truck displays, a parade, a garage sale and silent auction, a luncheon, awards ceremony, and much more. Check their website for details!
Come Home to the Sayre Mansion!
After a wonderful day at the museum, be sure to stop by the gift shop where you can peruse a wide variety of Mack Truck merchandise, souvenirs, and more, then head back to our Bethlehem bed and breakfast! Our gorgeous rooms and suites are the perfect place to rest after a fun day, and our complimentary breakfast, free Wi-fi, and close proximity to wonderful area attractions will make your trip unforgettable. We can’t wait to hear about what you discover at the Mack Truck Museum!
For more information on the best local museums,
request a copy of our Lehigh Valley vacation guide.
Photo Credit: Comstock | Thinkstock