aventuro Back to map A
Museums #12 in Dayton, Ohio

America's Packard Museum

4.8 · 684 reviews
Reflective and nostalgic
America's Packard Museum, 420 S Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
Interesting facts
1

The building was designed by Albert Kahn, a famed architect known for designing numerous automobile factories.

2

The showroom preserves the original glass storefronts that allowed customers to view vehicles from the street in 1917.

3

The collection includes rare vehicles that are in various states of restoration to showcase mechanical internals.

4

The museum serves as an archive for technical records and service bulletins from the original Packard corporation.

5

The venue is frequently used as a rental space for private events due to the unique industrial-era architecture.

Overview

America's Packard Museum is located in a historic 1917 Packard dealership building in downtown Dayton, Ohio. The museum houses one of the world's most extensive collections of Packard automobiles and related memorabilia. It occupies the former Citizens Motor Car Company showroom, preserved with its original Art Deco features and Terrazzo floors. The collection features dozens of vintage cars spanning the entire history of the Packard Motor Car Company. Exhibits include rare luxury models, historical documentation, and period-specific automotive tools. The site functions as a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving American industrial history. It is recognized as the only museum in the country housed in an original, authentic Packard dealership.

Photo spot

The main showroom floor, which provides a panoramic view of the vintage cars against the backdrop of the original 1917 architecture.

Insider tips

Check the official website for rotating exhibits, as the museum frequently changes which vehicles are on display.

Parking is available in the immediate vicinity, though it is primarily street-level or nearby public lots.

The museum is self-guided, allowing visitors to pace themselves while reading detailed placards about Packard history.

What to avoid

Attempting to touch the vehicles or lean over the stanchions, as the cars are delicate vintage artifacts.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, as it provides a quieter environment to photograph the vehicles without crowds.
Address
America's Packard Museum, 420 S Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402, United States
39.753, -84.192
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsOriginal 1917 Packard dealership building, collection of vintage Packard automobiles, and period automotive memorabilia.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, as it provides a quieter environment to photograph the vehicles without crowds..

The main showroom floor, which provides a panoramic view of the vintage cars against the backdrop of the original 1917 architecture.

Close by you'll find RiverScape MetroPark, Day Air Ballpark, The Dayton Art Institute.