Besser Museum will be closed to the public starting November 24th through mid-January
(date to be determined) for the installation of the new Discover Northeast Michigan History Exhibit.
There will be NO Season of Light Exhibit this year.
The Museum will open on Sunday, December 1st, for the Thunder Bay Arts Council Christmas event which will take place in the Historic Village from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you need assistance during this time, please call 989-356-2202.
Thank you,
Besser Museum
Alpena Motor Company
The Alpena Motor Company built the Alpena Flyer from 1910 - 1914. Their 13 models were light and inexpensive cars, using water cooled 4 cylinder engines rated to 35hp, with 3 speed transmissions. It was designed for speed using a unit engine/gearbox construction with a three-point suspension design. Total production was 480 vehicles.
The company's first ad noted: "Let it be borne in mind that we do not make cheap runabouts nor luxurious limousines. We have the greatest value in a five-passenger car offered anywhere in America, at $1,450." The 1910 New York auto show listed the Alpena Flyer as one of the top 10 cars in the world.
Emile Huber, the patentee of the design, sued the company and forced it into bankruptcy in 1913, leading to the Besser Manufacturing Company's purchase of their building on Johnson Street for $5,200.
For more information on the Alpena Flyer restoration project, please visit http://www.ru2inc.com/inprogress8.html.