Detroit hosts World Forum for Motor Museums

On October 9, automotive museum curators from around the globe will meet in Detroit for the 2005 World Forum of Motor Museums.

Hosted by Detroit's MotorCities National Heritage Area, this year's installation of the biennial conference - which runs through October 14 - will feature key-note speakers, panels and opportunities to visit and tour a number of auto-related venues in the Motor City. The Ford Piquette and Highland Park plants, and the Henry Ford and Ford Rouge Factory Tour are just a few of the local spots that conference attendees will visit.

This year's forum, entitled, Motor Museums Today: Preserving the Past and Adapting to a Changing World, is the ninth of its kind, and is designed to bring curators and enthusiasts throughout the industry together to discuss the many facets associated with automobile preservation in today's ever-changing environment.

Additional events scheduled for the 5-day conference include attending the 2005 Automotive Hall of Fame Reception on October 11, and the first-ever Detroit Auto Pioneers Dinner on October 13, where they will have the opportunity to meet and commingle with direct descendants of several of Detroit's automotive legends, including Ranson E. Olds, Hugh Chalmers, Harley Earl, Walter P. Chrysler and more.

This year's forum will be headquartered out of the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center. The last forum, held in Paris, France, was in 2003. Other previous host sites include Adelaide, Australia; Stuttgart and Sinsheim, Germany; Blackhawk, California; Gaydon and Beaulieu, England; and, Auburn, Indiana.

The MotorCities National Heritage Area seeks to preserve and heighten awareness of the automobile's impact within Southeast and Central Michigan and is associated with the National Park Service.

Designated by Congress as the 18th National Heritage Area in the United States in 1998, MotorCities develops programs within three areas - revitalization and economic development; education; and, tourism and interpretation - to ensure its mission is successfully carried out.

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