By Staff Writer
I am Ron Luellen Director of the Carroll Shelby Autotive Program at North East Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant Texas. Who would I contact about us possibly recieving things from the museum?
Story and Photography by Alan Galbraith
The World of Speed Museum in Wilsonville, Oregon, just south of Portland, is closing its doors permanently due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. From the Museum’s website:
“It is with heavy hearts we announce the permanent closure of World of Speed Motorsport Museum. The museum has been temporarily closed to the public since March 16, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Oregon Health Authority’s current guidelines, the museum would fall into Phase Two or Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan, potentially pushing reopening into 2021.
"Many of our guests, volunteers, students and docents fall into the category of most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus, which means efforts to keep everyone safe could push reopening further, even after OHA restrictions are lifted. After much deliberation, our board determined it would be unable to maintain the facility during such an extended closure.”
The museum opened its 53,00 square-foot facility in 2015 and featured motorsport vehicles from just about every genre. IndyCar, salt flats, dirt track, motorcycle road and dirt racing, drag racing, hot rodding, rally car, sports car and endurance racing. 51,000 people passed through the door in 2018 and the museum generated $340,000 in ticket sales and program fees. It offered classes for local high school and college students. The collection highlighted the rich history of motorsport in the Northwest with vehicles from icons such as winner IndyCar builder Rolla Vollstedt and Indy veteran drivers Len Sutton and Art Pollard.
The museum’s collection of cars, boats, motorcycles, photos, videos, books, programs and memorabilia will be distributed to other museums and schools in the near future.
I am Ron Luellen Director of the Carroll Shelby Autotive Program at North East Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant Texas. Who would I contact about us possibly recieving things from the museum?
In reply to rluellen :
Some of the staff have responded in this thread:
https://www.facebook.com/worldofspeedUSA/posts/2600452506833977
But, ultimately:
"World of Speed’s assets and funds will be distributed to 501(c)(3) museums and schools throughout the next three to eight months, as required by Oregon law. This will allow the museum’s collection of historic race cars, boats and motorcycles to live on for future generations to enjoy."
I suspect the State of Oregon Secretary of State would be a good contact:
https://sos.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Slowly museums are closing. One click on google then you would find all information about an object and how I miss school field trips.
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