by Andrew Scott
(At the time this article was originally written '57 Heaven was named The Patch Collection.)
When I first approached The Patch Collection I was a little leary as what to expect. I knew it was going to be some sort of car exhibit, but had heard as much before by museums that looked like little more than a two-car garage. Thankfully, The Patch Collection comes through in stellar fashion in the car department, featuring a wide range of cars, trucks and even a fire truck all from 1957. All of the cars appeared to be in mint condition, and helped to paint a vivid picture of life in the 50's.
Upon entering The Patch Collection I had the choice to go with or without a headset. While they explained that at the beginning they had planned to charge extra for the headsets, they have since decided to go ahead and include it with general admission. This was definitely a good idea, as those with no car knowledge or those born a few generations later could have a hard time piecing the importance of the cars showcased within the cultural context of the 50's. However, with the headsets intact there is no mistaking why each car featured is a part of the collection.
One cool tidbit on the headsets is that they seemed to be triggered by passing various "points" within the museum. This helps greatly with being able to peruse the museum contents at one's own pace without having to mess with any start/stop buttons. At times the sets seemed a bit too sensitive, starting the monologues over when I would move a few steps, but for the most part they did their job and added a ton of insight to the experience.
Of course, if you do opt to go without the headset (which I would recommend against simply because you can always just stop using it if you feel the need) you're not exactly left in the dark. Each car featured has a fact sheet placed next to it that covers information such as the engine's general performance (i.e. horsepower, transmission, etc.) and initial cost.
As for the cars themselves, the collection was extremely varied and quite impressive. Pontiac Bonneville, Desoto Firedome, Dodge pick-ups, Oldsmobile, Chrysler Imperial, Buicks, Ford Fairlane 500, Ford Thunderbird, Cadillac El Dorado and Packard was but a small sample of sights seen throughout my journey through The Patch Collection. They even had an area that featured a fire truck, police car and hearse.
Sprinkled between the many cars, there were a few recreations of typical 50's life. These still scenes depicted sights such as a mechanic shop and home from the 50's. There was also memorabilia placed along the walls, and even a large projector screen showcasing films from the 50's. These extras don't necessarily stand on their own, but do add quite a bit to the overall feel of the museum.
If you don't like cars or didn't happen to be around during the 50's, then The Patch Collection probably won't have a lot to offer. However, if you do fall into either of the previously mentioned categories, then you're likely to have a great time reminiscing over the vehicles that helped launch
America's fascination with the automobile.
