Blackhawk Museum's History

The Blackhawk Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, was established to ensure that significant automotive treasures blending art, technology, culture and history would be exhibited for public enjoyment and educational enrichment.

In September 1988, the spectacular 70,000-square-foot architectural masterpiece showcasing these rolling sculptures in a unique “jewel box” setting became a reality.

In addition to the Museum's rolling sculptures, educational lectures are scheduled each month and rotating exhibitions are presented in each of two 2,100 square foot galleries.

An Automotive Research Library and the Museum's Shop and Bookstore are located just off the Main Lobby. Blackhawk displays about 90 cars, many of which are on loan from Museum friends in many different parts of the world. Car collectors enjoy sharing their automobiles and Blackhawk has the most dramatic presentation of coachbuilt cars in the world, without exception.

Cars frequently come to Blackhawk after they have been exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance each August; those aficionados who did not get to visit the premier one-day concours at Pebble Beach can enjoy these cars at Blackhawk all year long. This concept keeps Blackhawk's exhibition diverse and ever-changing; in recent years Museum visitors have seen such spectacular Pebble Beach entrants as a 1903 Mors J. Rothschild and Fils limousine, a 1909 Winton Touring Model 17, a 1911 Mercedes Labourdette Skiff, a 1936 M.G. PB Airline Coupe, a 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 S.I. Spyder, and the 1937 Figoni et Falaschi Delahaye 135 that received Best of Show during the Pebble Beach Concours' 50th anniversary in 2000.