Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at 1:30pm in the Wiekamp Auditorium;

$2 admission / FREE to Studebaker National Museum members & Campus members, refreshments to follow

Chicago’s Historic Motor Row District, is home to the largest, intact, early “motor colony” in the United States.  Primarily located on south Michigan Avenue, it was designated as a Chicago Landmark on December 13, 2000, and was added to the US National Register of Historic Places on November 18, 2002.  Come listen to Barbara J. Barrett, a History Educational Entertainment speaker, will discuss how at its peak, more than 116 different makes of automobiles were sold and repaired on Motor Row.  The names of some of these early auto companies –Ford, Buick, Hudson, Cadillac, Locomobile, Marmon, and Premier – are still visible today on the building’s brick and terra cotta facades.

Barbara J. Barrett holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois and a Master in Public Administration degree from Roosevelt University. Ms. Barrett is also a Certified Association Executive, who enjoys sharing history in an entertaining manner. She will talk about the early development of the American automobile industry, the top flight architects who designed the elaborate automobile showrooms on Motor Row, several of the automobile companies located there, and the cars you would find displayed in those very showrooms.

The Studebaker Museum Speaker Series, presented by the Campisi Family Education Fund, is held in the Wiekamp Auditorium. Regular Speaker Series admission is $2. Regular admission fees apply to tour the Studebaker National Museum or The History Museum. Studebaker National Museum and Campus Members are admitted free.