If you ever wanted to check Elmer’s Car and Toy Museum in Fountain City, Wisconsin, do it before Monday at 5 p.m., or you’ll miss it forever. That’s right, they are closing up shop and after 29 years of being open, Monday is their last day.
Fountain City, Wisconsin you say?
Yeah. Go to Winona, Minnesota, cross the river, turn left and travel approximately 7 miles along the Mississippi. You’ll get to Elmer’s… you’ll know when you get there because there’s a long line of cars waiting for you. Don’t come in…already come in and just hang out.
You see, Elmer was a collector.
“At the time of his death in 2019 at the age of 79, Elmer had amassed a collection of over 100 classic cars, 700 pedal cars and hundreds of bicycles, motorcycles and snowmobiles. In addition to this he acquired around 20,000 vintage toys and walls. full of road art and memorabilia.” (Source)
It’s really five museums in one, each building is filled with stuff. And this weekend is your last chance to discover the whole collection; take pictures of it, draw it or drool over it as most will be auctioned from September 14th.
They auction off Elmer’s toys (big and small)
The family decided it was time to share the collection with the world, and if you want to be part of this event, from September 14-17, 2022, just click here to find the details at Mecum Auctions. You will be bidding with people from all over the world, so be prepared to act fast.
Although it’s hard to know for sure, Mecon Auctions consignment agent Gus Kozarzewski said Elmer’s collection of pedal cars – begun in 1971 with a 1905 chain-driven wooden model – is considered one of the largest, if not the largest, in the world. . (Source)
SEE items from the Elmer’s Car & Toy Museum Auction
Elmer made his collection WITHOUT the Internet
It was all word of mouth, his son Brad told Yahoo.com. He had contacts everywhere, even Mike Wolfe of American Pickers long before this show was on the air.
Brad also said they were holding back a very important item from the auction, the pickup truck with “Elmer’s Auto and Toy Museum” on the doors. As Brad said, “It was my dad’s last ride, and eventually it will be my mom’s last ride.”
On your way to or from Elmer’s, how about apple picking?
List of the best apple orchards in Southeast Minnesota!
It’s apple picking season and the orchards are ready for all their guests to come and pick a bag of apples. If you’re looking for an orchard nearby, check out the list below to see some of the best orchards in southeast Minnesota.
As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about anything I’ve written here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com
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