Roscoe, Illinois: Historic Auto Attractions

They need to change the name of the place -- this is so much more than an auto museum. It's really like an Americana museum. The first room starts off as memorabilia of movie cowboys and goes on from there. So much to see and read the history of these artifacts.

Don't let the name turn you away. There is so much more than cars to explore at this museum! There truly is something for everyone. A tour (or even just a short conversation) with Tony adds so much more. He is a treasury of information about the displays. Don't hesitate to head to Roscoe!

To celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary of Historic Auto Attractions, owner Wayne Lensing has announced that he's running out of room and will spend close to $1 million to triple its size by 2012.

Wayne just can't stop buying things. He reportedly just purchased a 60-seat silent movie theater with a 1200-pipe organ and intends to fit it in, somehow.

You should see the changes! They have added a room of just Abe Lincoln artifacts and they are awesome. They have a M*A*S*H set now. The owner changes things all the time. I was very impressed with the gift shop also. So many different things related to road travel and great tin signs!

What this place is doing in my little town is beyond me, but Historic Auto Attractions is essentially a warehouse of pop culture and automotive artifacts that must've cost millions upon millions of dollars to acquire. Among the highlights: the Grateful Dead's infamous tour bus, one of John Dillinger's Studebakers that was used in an Indiana robbery (as well as the gun that killed him), Hitler's personal staff car, a plethora of Presidential Limousines, three Batmobiles, a Ghostbusters' car.

An entire exhibit dedicated to the JFK's assassination is the museum's centerpiece, with parts of the grassy knoll fence and the secret service car behind the president's in the motorcade, among others.

Lots of personal cars and accessories from celebrities as well -- Elvis, Johnny Cash, Howard Hughes, Buddy Holly, Al Capone. It's a lot of highly valuable stuff you always thought was in Chicago or Washington ... not in lowly Roscoe.