R.E. Olds Transportation Museum

The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum preserves Lansing’s role in automotive history, focusing on Oldsmobile and the REO Motor Car Company. The nonprofit displays over 80 vehicles and thousands of artifacts spanning the late 19th century through the early 2000s.

Permanent and rotating exhibits include rare early Curved Dash Oldsmobiles, REO models, and loaned highlights like the 1897 Olds Motor Wagon and the 1987 Aerotech. Guided tours and an events calendar provide deeper context for the collection.

Start with a compact introductory gallery that explains Ransom E. Olds’s impact on automotive manufacturing, then move through era-themed displays that mix cars, engines, and interpretive artifacts.

Look out for:

• Early Curved Dash Oldsmobiles and REO vehicles, including turn-of-the-century examples.

• Special loans such as the 1897 Olds Motor Wagon and the 1987 Oldsmobile Aerotech (items may rotate).

• Interactive exhibit labels and contextual signage about local manufacturing and design.

• Regular guided public tours Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 PM (about 45 minutes).

Best way to experience it:

Allow 60–90 minutes to see the main galleries and join a guided tour if available; call ahead if you need to see a specific car because the museum rotates vehicles in and out of display.

• Hours: closed Monday; Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00; Sun 12:00–17:00.

• Admission and concessions: general admission and discounts listed on the museum site; under-12s and members often have free entry—check the official site for current rates.

• Tours: guided public tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays at 1:00 PM; special events appear on the museum calendar.

• If you need to view a particular vehicle, call the museum before visiting as displays rotate.