Whether you’re a motorcycle enthusiast or a passionate historian, the Miracle of America Museum is a must-see stop during any trip to Polson, Montana. The “Smithsonian of the West” exhibit lets you step back in time and experience what American life was like during critical times in U.S. history.
The museum also features a fascinating exhibit, “Iron Steeds & Leather Britches,” which includes a collection of more than 70 antique motorcycles plus over 3000 pieces of motorcycling memorabilia.
At Law Tigers, we aim to help you find fun, new events, and wayside stops to add to your motorcycle adventures. Our nationwide motorcycle lawyers share your passion and know that if you like history, you’ll enjoy this museum.
The Museum’s History
Gil and Joanne Mangels founded the Miracle of America Museum in 1981 as a nonprofit organization aiming to preserve critical aspects of American history. Today, the exhibit receives over 18,000 visitors per year from all 50 states. Many people travel from Canada and dozens of other foreign countries to see this museum.
The Miracle of America Museum’s Top Attractions
The museum houses hundreds of unique artifacts and historical displays, ranging from vintage vehicles and firearms to entire frozen-in-time walkthrough buildings. The property has over a dozen structures, each housing various attractions.
Military Equipment
Most of the military collection comes from World Wars I and II and the American Civil War. These wars defined many aspects of modern-day America. You can stroll through real military equipment, including tanks, vehicles, soldier gear, and vintage firearms.
You can also explore the evolution of firearms, viewing how weapons have progressed over the last century. You’ll find pistols, small-bore guns, outlaw guns, Revolutionary War rifles, Civil War weapons, and more.
Americana Memorabilia
America’s rich history extends far beyond war artifacts. At the Miracle of America Museum, you can explore presidential memorabilia, like Teddy Roosevelt’s saddle, or Old West artifacts and gear.
You can also wander through the preserved vintage village to explore the pioneers’ way of life. Each building includes real-life settings packed with artifacts to depict how it would be to live in this period. Some of the buildings include the barn, chicken house, dentistry, doctor’s office, shoe shop, cabinet shop, and gardening building.
Antique Vehicles and Motorcycles
As a motorcycle enthusiast, the antique vehicle portion of the museum may become your favorite. You can view everything from collectible cars and horse-drawn carriages to bicycles and agricultural vehicles. Some of the most exciting displays include the following:
- 1920 Model TT Ford Delivery wagon
- 1941 Packard
- Model-T
- 1958 BMW Isetta Limo
- Polson Lakester
- 1963 Rambler with a teardrop camper
- Sleighs
- Covered wagons
- Buckboards
- Buggies
- Modern threshers
- Tandem bikes
- Military bicycles
- A penny-farthing bike
Unique Sculptures and Devices
As you stroll through the museum, you’ll notice an endless array of unique sculptures and handheld devices, ranging from children’s toys and decorative horses to everyday houseware items, like pots, pans, and more.
Planning Your Visit
When you’re ready to plan your visit to the Miracle of America Museum, here’s everything you need to know:
- Address: 36094 Memory Lane, Polson, MT
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, all year
- Entry tickets: $10 for Adults, $5 for children under 12, and Free for children under 2
If you’d like to take home a piece of history, we recommend visiting the gift shop during your visit.
Law Tigers: Supporting Bikers and American History
At Law Tigers, we love introducing you to the best biker stops around America, like the Miracle of America Museum. If you get hurt in an accident on your bike, call us at Law Tigers at +1 (888) 863-7216 for a free consultation with a motorcycle attorney near you.
