Walter P. Chrysler Museum
The Walter P. Chrysler Museum had 35,000 visitors last year. It has run out of money. (John M. Galloway / Special to The Detroit News)
Chrysler Group LLC is purchasing the holdings of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum to protect the company's patrimony, but says the classic
car collection will no longer be open to the public — except for special occasions.
The museum, which has run out of money, will merge with the Chrysler Foundation at the end of the year. After that, the company will purchase the 67 vehicles and displays housed in the museum, which is located next to Chrysler's world headquarters in Auburn Hills.
Chrysler already owns the building.
"Chrysler will continue to share its automobile heritage housed at the Museum with the public during special exhibitions. The existing Museum facilities will also be used to meet Chrysler Group needs," said Brian Glowiak, president of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation.
"We are very thankful for the generosity of our many members, friends, volunteers and employees and very proud of the Museum's legacy as an educational and cultural institution."
Approximately 35,000 people visited the museum last year, though that figure includes special events and facility rentals.
"Over time, the revenue just has not been there to sustain its operations," said Chrysler spokesman Kevin Frazier, who added that the automaker is keen to preserve this important part of its history.
Opened in October 1999, the Chrysler museum was the first in this country to be located at an automaker's headquarters.
The Chrysler Foundation said it would use the proceeds of Chrysler's purchase to fund a variety of charitable community activities and organizations.
bhoffman@detnews.com
(313) 222-2443
car collection will no longer be open to the public — except for special occasions.The museum, which has run out of money, will merge with the Chrysler Foundation at the end of the year. After that, the company will purchase the 67 vehicles
and displays housed in the museum, which is located next to Chrysler's world headquarters in Auburn Hills.Chrysler already owns the building.
"Chrysler will continue to share its automobile
heritage housed at the Museum with the public during special exhibitions. The existing Museum facilities will also be used to meet Chrysler Group needs," said Brian Glowiak, president of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum Foundation."We are very thankful for the generosity of our many members, friends, volunteers and employees and very proud of the Museum's legacy as an educational and cultural institution."
Approximately 35,000 people visited the museum last year, though that figure includes special events and facility rentals.
"Over time, the revenue just has not been there to sustain its operations," said Chrysler spokesman Kevin Frazier, who added that the automaker is keen to preserve this important part of its history.
Opened in October 1999, the Chrysler museum was the first in this country to be located at an automaker's headquarters.
The Chrysler Foundation said it would use the proceeds of Chrysler's purchase to fund a variety of charitable community activities and organizations.
bhoffman@detnews.com
(313) 222-2443
From The Detroit News
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