Ransom E. Olds was the first manufacturer to mass-produce automobiles using a stationary assembly line before Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line.
The collection features the 1886 Olds steam-powered carriage, one of the earliest examples of Olds' experimental engineering.
The museum includes a specialized collection of REO Lawnmowers, as the REO Motor Car Company diversified into outdoor power equipment during the mid-20th century.
Lansing was once home to two major independent automakers founded by the same person, a rarity in industrial history.
The museum holds rare 'curved dash' Oldsmobile models, which were the world's first mass-produced gasoline automobiles.
The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum chronicles the automotive history of Lansing, Michigan, through an extensive collection centered on Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of both Oldsmobile and REO Motor Car Company. The facility displays over 60 vehicles, ranging from late 19th-century carriages and high-wheelers to iconic 20th-century muscle cars and experimental prototypes. Exhibits highlight the evolution of transportation engineering, focusing on the assembly line innovations pioneered in the city. The museum houses a significant archive of documents, photographs, and artifacts related to the American industrial era. Rotating exhibits often feature classic car restoration projects and local history displays. The site serves as a research hub for automotive historians and enthusiasts studying the early 1900s manufacturing boom in Michigan.
The display area featuring the original REO Speedwagon truck, which offers a clear, unobstructed angle for photography.
Check the museum's official website calendar for dates of car shows held in the adjacent parking lot.
Look for the smaller, non-car displays detailing the life of R.E. Olds, as these contain personal artifacts often overlooked by visitors focused solely on the vehicles.
Ask staff about the status of the 'Car of the Month' exhibit to ensure you see the most exclusive rotating pieces.
Do not attempt to touch the vintage car finishes, as many are original and highly sensitive to oils and abrasives.
Closed on Mondays during the winter season.
