Michael Satterfield
by Michael Satterfield -05/24/2022
Tucked on top of Petit Jean Mountain, about 65 miles from Little Rock, sits The Museum of Automobiles, one of the most interesting car collections I have ever run across on my backroad adventures. We stopped at the museum while making our way to Little Rock after taking a drive down the Ozark Scenic Byway for part of our Great Road Trip Video Series.
The museum was opened in 1964; founded by Winthrop Rockefeller on the corner of his cattle ranch near the town of Morrilton, Arkansas. Winthrop would later go on to become Governor of Arkansas and the museum would house his personal collection until his death in 1973. In 1975, the collection of over 70 vehicles was sold to Bill Harrah, of Harrah’s Casinos, for the sum of $947,000 much of the collection is still together today in the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada.
The Musem and 57-acre grounds were donated to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism by the Rockefeller family and in 1976 the Museum reopened with cars on loan from collectors. Today the non-profit museum owns a number of rare collector cars that have been donated or acquired by the museum.
Today the museum is home to roughly 80 cars, including some cars owned by the Rockefeller family, as well as celebrities like Elvis Presley, May West, and former Presidents Kennedy and Clinton. The museum is also home to some unique Arkansas automotive history, owning both known remaining Climber Model 6-50s which was the only car ever produced in the state of Arkansas.
The museum is open daily from 10AM-5PM, closing only on Christmas Day. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $5 for children, children five and under are free. The museum also hosts an annual swapmeet and car show that draws over 500 vendors and thousands of collectors from across the country.
Petit Jean Mountain
8 Jones Lane
Morrilton, AR 72110
(501) 727-5427
8 Jones Lane
Morrilton, AR 72110
(501) 727-5427
Check out more images from our visit below:
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| Classic Concessions Truck is the only known 1914 Cretors Popcorn Wagon known in exisitance |
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| 1913 Metz Runabout, sold new for $395 |
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| This 1923 Climber Model 6-50 is the only automobile ever produced in the state of Arkansas |
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| This classic Lincoln Continental that is on loan to the museum was the personal car of President John F. Kennedy and is currently owned by President Bill Clinton. |
