For decades, the South Bend Bait Company helped put South Bend on the map for anglers across the country. Industry Spotlight: South Bend Bait Company explores the history of this once-prominent local manufacturer, maker of the famous Bass-Oreno lure and a wide range of other fishing equipment. Featuring select objects from the Museum’s collection—including rarely displayed lures, rods & reels, period photographs, and sales literature—the exhibit highlights another chapter of South Bend’s rich manufacturing heritage.
Archives: Exhibitions
Five Driven Women
June 3, 2026 – July 19, 2026
Five Driven Women explores how the automobile expanded opportunity and independence for women in the early twentieth century. Through five remarkable women and their cars, discover stories of adventure, achievement, and determination in this trailblazing exhibition.
Meet athlete Eleanora Sears and her 1912 Simplex Torpedo, socialite Maribel Schumacher and her 1928 Hudson Series O Town Car, explorer Louise Arner Boyd and her 1934 Packard Twelve, aviator Amelia Earhart and her 1937 Cord 812, and automobile enthusiast Margaret Dunning and her 1930 Packard 740. Their journeys reveal how automobiles helped women shape their own paths and how mobility became a powerful symbol of freedom and possibility. This is one exhibition you won’t want to miss!
Special thanks to The JBS Collection, The Singleton Collection, the Classic Car Club of America Museum, and LaVine Restorations for their support.
Motor City, Indiana
Before Detroit became synonymous with the automobile, northern Indiana was already on the move. Motor City, Indiana explores how South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, and other nearby towns became a hub of entrepreneurship and manufacturing in the industry’s infancy. From Studebaker’s global reach to the inventive designs of the American Simplex Motor Car Company, Elcar, Pratt-Elkhart, Milburn, and more, these companies turned local ambition into national innovation. These vehicles—and the people who built them—helped make northern Indiana an industrial powerhouse and are a vital chapter in America’s motoring story.
This summer, discover the machines, the makers, and the pioneering spirit that put Indiana on the automotive map as part of the ongoing America 250 celebrations at the Studebaker National Museum.
Moments That Made US
Every community has moments that shape its identity, and South Bend is no exception. Through the experiences of entrepreneurs, workers, artists, and civic leaders, visitors will discover how local history reflects and contributes to America’s broader story. Developed by History Colorado and a multi-state collaboration for the nation’s 250th anniversary, Moments That Made US allows host communities to connect their own local histories to the American experience. The exhibition explores five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. The featured moments remind us that our story was never inevitable, we shaped it at every turn.
Through artifacts, photographs, and first-hand accounts, Moments That Made US invites you to see how local moments and experiences became part of the American story as part of the ongoing America250 celebrations at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum.
Exhibition runs April 11, 2026 – January 3, 2027.
Astral Visions: Vehicles of Tomorrow
Astral Visions: Vehicles of Tomorrow travels back to the 1950s, when nuclear and other Space Age technology promised limitless energy and inspired designers to imagine vehicles unlike anything on the road (or skies). The rarely-seen Studebaker-Packard Astral—specially brought out of storage for this exhibit—stands as the stunning centerpiece in the A.M. General Atrium, paired with images and information on other far-out nuclear vehicle concepts and innovations from the era. Don’t miss it!
Astral Visions: Vehicles of Tomorrow was curated by Mataya Watson, intern in the curatorial department and undergraduate student at Holy Cross College.
The Studebaker Chronicles: An American Odyssey
Don’t miss this special display celebrating Robert Swope’s incredible 90-day trip around the world in his 1963 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk, lovingly named “Sophia.” This display highlights the preparation, challenges, and remarkable endurance of both the driving team and machine as they circled the globe and participated in events like the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong to Beijing Rally. Step inside to follow their journey mile by mile and learn more at studebakerchronicles.com.
Testing Tomorrow: The Proving Ground at 100
The Studebaker National Museum proudly presents Testing Tomorrow: The Proving Ground at 100, a special display celebrating a century of automotive testing and innovation. Established in 1926 on 840 acres in New Carlisle, Indiana, the Proving Ground was one of the first purpose-built vehicle test facilities in the nation, showcasing Studebaker’s commitment to quality, safety, and engineering excellence. After Studebaker ceased operations, the site continued to play a vital role in the industry, serving companies such as Bendix, Bosch, Navistar, and now International. Today, the site is also shared by the St. Joseph County Park system and features miles of scenic hiking trails along with the famed Studebaker tree sign. This exhibition highlights the legacy of the Proving Ground through rare photographs, historical artifacts, and stories from 100 years at the track.
Reel Rides: Cars of TV & Film
Take a joyride through Hollywood history with some of the most iconic vehicles ever to hit the silver screen (and your TV screen)! From sleek sports cars to family haulers, these fan favorites have taken us on cross-country adventures, wild chases, and action-packed escapades we’ll never forget. Get up close to legendary rides like the 1966 Ford Thunderbird from Thelma & Louise, the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi from Magnum PI, and more. It’s the ultimate pit stop for movie buffs, car lovers, and nostalgia junkies alike!
Exhibition runs October 24, 2025 – May 25, 2026
Backyard to the Brickyard: Studebaker at Indy
Calling all racing fans! Did you know that Studebaker fielded a factory-backed Indianapolis 500 team in 1932 and 1933? This summer, don’t miss a special showing in the A.M. General Atrium with the Museum’s newest acquisition, the 1933 #34 Studebaker Special, alongside the 1932 #18 car courtesy of Mike Cleary, and the #22 car courtesy of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. This is a rare and special opportunity to see three of the four remaining Studebaker-built Indy cars together again, in one place!
July 15, 2024- September 2, 2024
A Bear’s Natural Habitat: The Return of Fozzie’s Studebaker
A Bear’s Natural Habitat: The Return of Fozzie’s Studebaker, a special exhibition celebrating the completed restoration of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable cars. The exhibition will be on view September 24, 2025, through April 5, 2026, marking the first time the restored vehicle will be displayed to the public.
The exhibition showcases the 1951 Studebaker Commander driven by Fozzie Bear and Kermit the Frog in Jim Henson’s The Muppet Movie (1979). Known for its colorful psychedelic paint scheme created by Dr. Teeth & The Electric Mayhem in the film, the Commander has undergone an extensive 18-month restoration led by RazorFly Studios. Now, for the first time, visitors can experience the car in its fully restored state in the Museum’s Carmichael Bullet Nose Gallery.
In addition to the restored vehicle, the exhibition will feature:
- A photo series documenting the restoration process from start to finish
- Insights into how Jim Henson’s team modified the Studebaker for on-screen use
- A look at the car’s history, from its production in 1951 to its Hollywood career and eventual homecoming at the Museum
“Fozzie’s Studebaker is not only a beloved piece of film history but also a cultural icon that connects generations of fans,” said Executive Director Pat Slebonick. “We are honored to present its restoration to the public for the very first time.” A Bear’s Natural Habitat offers an engaging and family-friendly experience that blends Studebaker heritage with the enduring creativity of Jim Henson’s Muppets.
Love the Muppets? You can still support the long-term display of this iconic movie car and ensure that generations of visitors can enjoy Fozzie’s Studebaker by clicking here. Thank you!