For those who would like to caravan, we will gather at US 31 North and N. Pennsylvania St. (Exit 125 – instructions below** ) at 10:00 AM where we will tour the Elwood Haynes Museum at 1915 S. Webster, Kokomo, IN. Mr. Haynes discovered tungsten chrome steel, was the “Father of the Natural Gas Industry” in Indiana and in 1988 he invented the vapor thermostat. He conceived the idea of a “Horseless Carriage” in 1891, completed the plans and hired Elmer and Edgar Apperson to build the first automobile in 1893. They began commercial production in 1898. There is no charge for this part of the tour.

We will then drive over to the Seiberling Mansion at 1200 W. Sycamore St., Kokomo, IN. where they are opening early at 12:30 PM just to provide for you some additional precaution from the public and to allow you to enjoy the museum and mansion at your own pace. Construction of this residence commenced in 1887 for the benefit of Monroe Seiberling of Akron, OH. He founded the Kokomo Strawboard Company selling it to open the Diamond Plate Glass Company. Seiberling was the uncle of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company founder Frank Seiberling. There is a $10 per person charge for this part of the tour.

From Kokomo we are going to journey over to Kirklin, IN and enjoy an early afternoon lunch at Booker’s Bar and Grill, 109 N. Main St., Kirklin, IN where we have a private room reserved just for us. They have a great menu and a wide variety of good food. Although Kirklin is a one stoplight town, they have more than their fair share of unusual antique shops so stay awhile and do your best to provide some economic stimulus for the town’s treasury. Ask your waitress about the charge for this part of your tour.

**Meeting location: Exit 125 off US 31 veering right at end of ramp 9 or left if you’re coming from the north) while going through the first traffic circle then exiting the immediate second traffic circle at the 3rd exit heading north on N. Pennsylvania Street turning left (west) at the 11611 office building then first left again to wait in parking lot for all to arrive at 10:00 AM. If you don’t plan to caravan with us, we will meet you at our first stop – The Elwood Haynes Museum.

Please RSVP by emailing don_shuck@ml.com or call Don at 317 374 8772. There are three places that would like to know ahead of time how many of us will be there. Also, please let us know if you will be joining the caravan or meeting us in Kokomo. We look forward to seeing you. Thank you.