Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
Planning a trip to Petit Jean State Park—Arkansas’s first and most iconic state park? Just a few miles from the park entrance, nestled among the pines on top of the mountain, you’ll find one of Arkansas’ most unexpected treasures: the Museum of Automobiles. Whether you’re headed to hike the trails, stay in a cabin, or take in the breathtaking views from Stout’s Point, make time to visit this one-of-a-kind museum—or better yet, make it the highlight of your trip.
The Museum of Automobiles is home to the only known Climber Touring Car, built by Arkansas’s only auto manufacturer, the Climber Motor Company, which operated in Little Rock from 1919 to 1924. The collection also includes vehicles with star appeal—a car once owned by Elvis Presley, one driven by President John F. Kennedy, and the iconic DeLorean like the one from Back to the Future. Visitors will also find unique utility vehicles, such as a 1923 one-ton gasoline truck from Conway’s H&G Oil Company and a 1920 open-sided school bus that served Petit Jean High School.
With more than 50 fully restored vehicles—most dating before 1932—the museum offers a fascinating look at the evolution of the automobile from 1904 to 1981. Additional displays include antique guns, vintage arcade machines, license plates, a player piano, and a wide variety of car-related memorabilia.
My favorite? The 1914 Cretors Popcorn Wagon, one of only 9 built!
History | Where Vintage Cars Meet Vintage Views
The Museum of Automobiles has a fascinating origin rooted in friendship, opportunity, and a vision for economic development in rural Arkansas. In 1960, Winthrop Rockefeller’s friend James Melton—a well-known opera tenor and movie star—made the decision to sell his extensive collection of antique automobiles. Melton had been an avid collector for decades, even relocating his growing trove of vintage cars from Connecticut to Hypoluxo, Florida, near Palm Beach. There, he opened the James Melton Autorama in 1953, transforming his passion into a thriving tourist attraction.
When Melton’s collection went up for sale, Rockefeller purchased around 40 of the cars. With this impressive foundation, he began planning a museum that would showcase automotive history while also drawing visitors—and their tourism dollars—to Conway County. Although Rockefeller himself claimed he was “not a car buff,” he saw the museum as a cultural investment in the region.
The Museum of Automobiles officially opened its doors on October 18, 1964. Its debut came at the height of the 1964 election season, when Rockefeller was in the midst of campaigning for governor. He took a break from the campaign trail to attend the museum’s grand opening, which was positioned as a non-political event. Still, the gesture reflected his broader efforts to invest in the state’s future. He wouldn’t win the governorship until 1966, but the museum marked an early, visible step in his long-term commitment to Arkansas.
Inside the Museum’s Unique Design
While the Museum of Automobiles is best known for its vintage car collection, its architectural significance is equally remarkable. Designed by Dietrich Neyland and Robert Millet of the Cromwell firm—under the engineering expertise of Oliver Gatchell—the museum was built in 1964 using an innovative tensile cable system to suspend the roof from four corner pylons, creating a wide-open interior space free of support columns. This striking midcentury modern structure was one of Arkansas’s earliest and most ambitious uses of tensile-cable construction, showcasing a forward-thinking design that echoed the progressive vision of Winthrop Rockefeller. Lauded at the time as “ultramodern,” the building was praised by architects and the press alike and was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 for its statewide architectural significance.
A Petit Jean Tradition for Generations | Petit Jean Swap Meet & Car Show
For many visitors, the annual Petit Jean Swap Meet & Car Show in June is the reason they return to Petit Jean year after year. Now in its 67th year, this event brings together families, collectors, and classic car lovers of all ages. It’s not uncommon to see three generations strolling the grounds, sharing stories and making new memories.
From rare finds to funnel cakes, auto literature to license plates, there’s always something to spark conversation and joy.
Make It Part of Your Petit Jean Adventure
Whether you’re camping, hiking, biking, or relaxing at Mather Lodge, the Museum of Automobiles is just minutes away—and well worth the visit. Stop in for a quiet afternoon of nostalgia or plan your trip around one of the exciting events hosted throughout the year.
2025 Events to Add to Your Mountain Getaway
May
- Ponies on Petit Jean
May 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Mustang lovers unite for a show packed with American muscle and nostalgia. - 4th Annual Sam Salter Corvettes on the Mountain
May 17, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A stunning display of Corvettes honoring local legend Sam Salter. - Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby
May 24, 2025
June
- 67th Annual Petit Jean Swap Meet & Car Show
June 11–14, 2025 | All Day
A beloved tradition celebrating 67 years, with hundreds of classic cars, vendors, memorabilia, and food.
The show is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Mid-America Old-Time Auto Association (MOTAA) hosts the show portion of event.
July
- Jeeps in July
July 12, 2025 - 2nd Annual La Famiglia Show & Shine
July 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A laid-back, family-focused gathering featuring show cars, food, and fun.
August
- Nothing but Trucks (All Truck Show)
August 9, 2025
September
- 28th Annual Petit Jean Fall Swap Meet
September 25–27, 2025 | All Day
A fall favorite for collectors, featuring antique parts, signs, and treasures.
October
- Mopar Show and Shine
Oct 11, 2025 - Airstream Rally
October 22–27, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Gleaming silver campers, community gatherings, and timeless adventure vibes. 
A Note From The Park Wife
As someone who lives and works on this mountain, I can tell you—we love having this jewel just down the road. The Museum of Automobiles is more than a tourist stop; it’s part of our community. The staff are neighborly, the events bring us together, and the museum itself is a place of connection, memory, and storytelling. Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, we hope you’ll make this special place part of your Petit Jean adventure.
Follow on Facebook for hours of operation, show information and updated display announcements.
All photos courtesy of the Museum of Automobiles.
Like this story? Read more from The Park Wife
0
Discovering Petit Jean: A Guide to the Mountain and Her Park
For the past 25 years, Petit Jean Mountain has been more than a...
0
Fall Into Fun: October 2024 Events
October brings cooler temperatures to Arkansas, ushering in a season...
2
Arkansas Pumpkin Patches 2024
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets cooler, October in Arkansas...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment
4 responses to “Discover the Museum of Automobiles | Petit Jean Mountain”
Leave a Reply
Leave a ReplyWe do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Will there be a Father’s Day swap meet inJune 2020?
Yes will there be father day in the park this year ?
W I’ll ll there be fathers day in the park this year?
Hey thats me and my Dog Brody, with my nephew in the Red Sox Jersey.