The Next Caretakers

Auburn’s National Automotive and Truck Museum looks to future generations to preserve its heritage.

article by Tammy Davis photography by Jeffrey Crane, edited by Travis Sprouse (2023)

Tucked into the last two surviving factory buildings of the Auburn Automobile Company, Auburn’s National Automotive and Truck Museum — NATMUS, to the local folks — quietly houses one of the country’s most comprehensive displays of automotive and truck heritage. More than 175 vehicles grace the campus, dating from the horse-and-buggy era to 21st century prototypes, many of which are the only specimens of their kind.

Visitors will see the only Chrysler ball-stud hemi engine still in existence, a 1939 GM Futurliner designed to travel the country to offer a glimpse of the future and the art deco hauler Bill Harrah used to transport cars to his Reno museum. Different Chrysler concept cars rotate through the museum every four months, a die cast model display features more than 4,000 vehicles that appeal to toy lovers and a 1950s soda fountain will evoke memories of car hops. NATMUS is truly a hidden gem, but one question remains: who will care for these rich, automotive treasures?

More than 50 volunteers donate their time and talent to NATMUS, meeting weekly to tackle a variety of projects. They focus primarily on maintaining the buildings and bringing vehicles back to life. Restoration efforts encompass everything from sheet metal work to upholstery to mechanical refurbishment — skills that are becoming harder and harder to find. Rather than spending time searching for the right people, NATMUS Executive Director Dave Yarde has decided to train them.

“You don’t have to know anything about cars to start,” says Yarde. “Just come and jump right in. Our more experienced volunteers serve as mentors who teach others.”

Anyone can join the museum’s Wednesday Work Group, which meets from 6 to 8 p.m. each week. There’s no minimum level of experience required; a willing attitude is the only prerequisite. Yarde is hoping to attract more young people who will serve as future leaders for the museum.

“If museums are going to survive, you have to get the next generation involved,” says Yarde.

In the last 6 years, young people ages 15 through high school senior have joined the Wednesday Work Group. What started with one or two kids has grown as word has spread. They tell their friends about their projects, the pride they take in building a long-lasting legacy and most of all the fun they’re having as they learn new life skills. We’ve had quite a number age out of the program and are still coming back every week because they love the work and this museum.

“People learn about vehicle maintenance and restoration,” says Yarde. “The key is that we have a lot of fun doing it.”

Each new person is assigned a mentor and rotates through different types of projects, leading to hands-on experience in every aspect of the operation. What started as a grassroots effort to keep NATMUS running has begun to take a life of its own. It’s a real-life model for learning, and Yarde hopes to share his process with local educators this fall.

“What we’re doing offers an alternative way for kids to learn a whole new skill set that is going to be very valuable to them,” explains Yarde. “This could even become a career for a lot of young people down the road.”

As the program grows, Yarde has begun to work with manufacturers and other organizations to provide support in the form of tools, supplies, and other provisions. Community members have also stepped up and donated funds, which will be used to offer scholarships to the kids who volunteer. Yarde hopes it will eventually become self-perpetuating. After all, it’s the volunteers who keep the museum going.

People from all over the world tour NATMUS throughout the year, and the quality and quantity of the museum’s exhibits continue to draw them back. There’s something for everyone, says Yarde, and none of it would be possible without his cadre of volunteers. That’s why it’s so important to prepare the next generation of caretakers.

Clearly the volunteers at NATMUS love what they do. “One of the big things here is the enthusiasm inside with all our volunteers and the people in the museum,” says Yarde. “We have the experience of a lifetime, and we can’t wait to share it with our friends.”