The Kansas Motorcycle Museum is the perfect attraction for motorcycle enthusiasts and their families. This museum is located in Marquette, Kansas, and features numerous interesting exhibits for motorcycle fanatics to enjoy.
Read on to learn more about the Kansas Motorcycle Museum.
What Is the Kansas Motorcycle Museum?
The Kansas Motorcycle Museum is a historical museum that celebrates the rich history of motorcycling in the U.S. The museum features over 100 vintage and rare motorcycles, numerous motorcycle artifacts, and related memorabilia.
About the Museum
The Kansas Motorcycle Museum was established in 2003 in Marquette, Kansas. Legendary motorcycle racer Stan ‘The Man’ Engdahl was instrumental in the museum’s origins.
Stan is best known for his outstanding racing career, which spanned from 1946 to 1993. During his career, he won over 600 trophies, including 16 Kansas state championships. He’s also well-known for winning five National Scramble Championships. Stan raced at every event on his Harley-Davidson K-model motorcycle.
When Stan retired from motorcycle racing in 1993, motorcycles remained a significant part of his life. He and his wife, LaVona, helped found and curate the Kansas Motorcycle Museum in 2003. They also donated over 1,400 hours a year to running the museum. While Stan passed away in 2007 and LaVona in 2014, the museum continues to honor their legacies.
Today, the Kansas Motorcycle Museum features Stan’s custom-built Harley Davidson that he used throughout his racing career.
Kansas Motorcycle Museum Exhibits
Throughout the museum, you’ll find over 100 rare motorcycles on display and tons of unique memorabilia passed down from Stan Engdahl. For example, you can see Stan’s 600 trophies on display at the museum. You can also check out his personal motorcycle up close to see the exact specs of such a powerful, durable motorcycle.
You’ll also find dedicated exhibits throughout the museum showcasing famous names in motorcycle history. For example, you can see a motorcycle suspected to be Elvis Presley’s Harley-Davidson.
You can see a preview of the motorcycle museum’s current exhibits by visiting the Kansas Motorcycle Museum website.
Thunder on the Smoky
Thunder on the Smoky is an annual motorcycle rally hosted by the Kansas Motorcycle Museum. This rally has occurred since the museum’s opening in 2003. It’s a one-day rally that features vendors, bike shows, live concerts, biker games, and more.
The 2022 Thunder on the Smoky rally will take place Saturday, September 24.
Other Things to Do in Marquette
If you’ve never visited Marquette, Kansas, before, we recommend spending at least a day in the quaint city. After you’ve spent time perusing the motorcycle museum, you can visit a few other attractions in the area.
If you’re a nature lover, you can check out these natural attractions near Marquette:
- Kanopolis State Park
- Mushroom Rock State Park
- Eisenhower Park
You can also add another museum to your itinerary: the McPherson County Old Mill Museum. This museum aims to preserve the heritage of the Smoky Valley. It also seeks to help residents discover their McPherson County genealogy by preserving and displaying historical documents.
If you want to spend a few days in Marquette, we recommend staying at one of these quaint lodging places:
- Sweet Dreams Inn
- Rosberg House B&B
- Seasons of the Fox
Finally, you can add these scenic motorcycle routes to your trip:
- Glacial Hills Scenic Byway
- Native Stone Scenic Byway
- Prairie Trail Scenic Byway
- Smoky Valley Scenic Byway
If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you’ll want to check out the Kansas Motorcycle Museum at least once in your life.
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