R.E. Olds Transportation Museum | Lansing

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, located in downtown Lansing, Michigan, is one of the nation’s most focused and historically rich museums dedicated to a single automotive figure: Ransom Eli Olds. It preserves not only the legacy of Olds himself but also the broader evolution of American transportation—from steam-powered wagons to modern electric vehicles—with an emphasis on Lansing's unique role in automotive history.

🏛️ Origin and Mission of the Museum

The museum opened in 1981, driven by a local effort to recognize Ransom E. Olds’ contribution to the automotive world. Olds, born in 1864 in Geneva, Ohio, moved to Lansing where he launched a transportation empire that predates even Henry Ford’s work in automobiles. The museum now resides at 240 Museum Drive, inside a repurposed 19th-century building that formerly served as a brewery warehouse and later as Lansing’s city bus garage. It was officially acquired from the city for $2 in a symbolic gesture to keep it nonprofit and publicly beneficial.

The museum’s mission is not just to display cars, but to preserve the legacy of industrial innovation in Michigan’s capital, highlighting the birth of mass automotive manufacturing, the transition from carriages to combustion engines, and the community shaped by the auto industry.

🧔 Ransom Eli Olds: The Man Behind the Brand

Olds is credited with:

Founding Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897 (later Oldsmobile).

Creating the first mass-produced automobile, the 1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile.

Establishing the REO Motor Car Company in 1904, which built both cars and commercial trucks.

Innovating early versions of the assembly line, predating Henry Ford's adaptation by years.

Contributing to Lansing’s transformation from a farming town into a global manufacturing center.

🚗 Permanent Collection: Vehicles & Technology

The collection features over 60 historic vehicles, many of which are one-of-a-kind prototypes or extremely rare models. It's organized by type, manufacturer, and era, covering over a century of transportation history.

Key Vehicle Exhibits:

1. Oldsmobiles (1897–2004)

1897 Olds Steam Carriage – A rare reproduction of R.E. Olds’ first functioning car.

1901 Curved Dash Oldsmobile – Considered the world’s first mass-produced car.

1920s–1930s Touring Sedans – Featuring rich wood trim, running boards, and early electric starters.

1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 – A muscle car icon, displayed with hood up to show performance features.

2004 Oldsmobile Alero Final Edition – The last Oldsmobile ever produced before the brand was discontinued.

2. REO Vehicles

1915 REO Touring Car

REO Speed Wagon (early 20th century) – The commercial truck that inspired the name of the famous rock band. A crowd favorite, displayed with tools and cargo.

REO Flying Cloud (1927–1930) – A luxury vehicle with innovations such as automatic spark advance.

3. Electric Vehicles

1899 Olds Electric Carriage – One of Olds’ lesser-known ventures into electric transport.

1996 General Motors EV1 – A rare surviving unit of GM’s first modern electric vehicle.

🛠️ Engineering & Automotive Memorabilia

Vintage Engines & Motors – Early internal combustion engines, steam-powered units, and REO commercial truck motors are displayed in cross-section.

1950s-era Traffic Signals and Gas Pumps

Old Dealership Signs, Tools, Uniforms

Dashboard and Steering Wheel Evolution Display – Comparing cars from the 1910s to the 2000s.

The museum houses thousands of pieces of authentic automobilia, from promotional posters and factory blueprints to oil cans and owner’s manuals.

📚 James D. Butt Archives

One of the most valuable yet underrated sections of the museum is the James D. Butt Archives, which includes:

Engineering documents and blueprints

Factory records from REO and Oldsmobile plants

Over 100,000 historical photographs, many depicting early Lansing, its factories, and the workforce

Marketing material spanning a century

Oral histories from former auto workers and engineers

The archive supports both professional researchers and casual visitors interested in Michigan’s industrial roots.

🎉 Events and Public Programs

Cruise-In Events (Monthly)

Local car owners and collectors gather outside the museum to showcase their vehicles. Includes family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, and live music.

Upcoming:

June 18, 2025 – Family Night Cruise-In

August 20, 2025 – Hoods Up Cruise-In

Car Capital Auto Show (Annual)

One of Lansing’s largest auto shows, featuring 250+ cars, judged competitions, music, vendors, and awards. Scheduled for July 26, 2025.

Guided Tours

Offered every Friday and Saturday at 1:00 PM. Includes curated commentary from docents with deep knowledge of both cars and Lansing history.

👨‍👩‍👧 Visitor Experience

Hours:

Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

Monday: Closed

Admission:

Adults: $10

Seniors/Veterans/Teens (12–17): $7

Children under 12: Free

Active Duty Military: Free

Members: Free

Groups (10+): $7/person

🏙️ Community Impact

The R.E. Olds Museum isn't just about vehicles; it’s a living story of industrial development, worker migration, economic transformation, and technological advancement. It celebrates Lansing as a once-thriving manufacturing hub and educates new generations about the people and machines that shaped America’s roads and economy.

Through well-preserved artifacts, immersive storytelling, and community engagement, the museum stands as a tribute to the bold innovation of R.E. Olds and the workers who built his vision—brick by brick, wheel by wheel.

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum is more than a static display; it’s a historical engine still running—a powerful connection between Lansing’s past, present, and automotive legacy.