SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Step into the past and experience history like never before with Wheels of Time, an immersive new program at the Studebaker National Museum that transforms more than a century of American innovation into an unforgettable, interactive adventure.
Designed to spark curiosity and engage the senses, Wheels of Time takes guests on an extraordinary, 75-minute journey through more than 100 years of American history. Blending theatrical storytelling, live performance, and the remarkable setting of the Studebaker National Museum, the experience features costumed interpreters who bring history vividly to life through the voices of the people who shaped one of America’s longest-lived vehicle manufacturers.
As visitors move through the Museum’s world-class collection, they will encounter historic vehicles and compelling characters whose personal stories reveal the ambitions, triumphs, setbacks, and resilience that defined Studebaker’s remarkable legacy. Rather than simply viewing historic vehicles and artifacts, participants become immersed in the human stories behind them, discovering how innovation, craftsmanship, and determination helped shape both an iconic American company and the community it called home. Participants will meet characters like J.M. Studebaker, who—with his brothers—transformed a humble blacksmith shop into one of America’s greatest industrial success stories; Bob Bourke, the visionary designer behind some of Studebaker’s most celebrated postwar automobiles; Martha Fleener, an executive assistant who witnessed the company’s final years firsthand and offers a poignant perspective on Studebaker’s enduring legacy, and more!
Guests will leave with more than memories of remarkable automobiles—they’ll gain a lasting appreciation for the people, ideas, and community that drove Studebaker’s success and helped shape the region, the nation, and the world.
Whether you’re a lifelong history enthusiast, an automobile aficionado, or discovering the Studebaker story for the first time, Wheels of Time offers a one-of-a-kind immersive journey for guests of all ages through more than 100 years of history. Perfect for family reunions, motorcoach and tour groups, clubs, corporate outings, and lifelong learners, this engaging program brings history to life through unforgettable characters and stories, revealing Studebaker’s lasting influence on transportation, design, manufacturing, and American culture.
Experience must be booked at least two weeks prior to chosen date. Cost is $40/per person children 12 and under $20; Member cost is $15. Bookings for the Wheels of Time experience include admission to the Studebaker National Museum. For tour schedules, admission information, group rates, and tickets, visit studebakermuseum.org/wheels-of-time/ or contact the Museum at (574) 235-9714 for more information.
The Studebaker National Museum is located at 201 Chapin St., just west of downtown South Bend. It is open Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm, and Sun. Noon–5pm. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors over 60, and $9 for youth ages 6-18. For more information, please call the Museum at (574) 235-9714 or toll free at (888) 391-5600 or visit our website at www.studebakermuseum.org. For an additional cost, visitors can tour The History Museum, which adjoins the Studebaker National Museum.
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