I just received this email from Steve Hall, the Director of the Mustang Owner's Museum in Concord, NC. They recently moved from their huge facility to a smaller building across the street. I think the purpose of this communication is to squelch the rumors surrounding the museum about possible closure.
To Mustang Owner's Museum Members
I hope this email to all of the Mustang Owner's Members will
provide more information on why we moved from
21 Carpenter Ct. to 4005/4003 Dearborn Place recently.
Four years ago when we started the process of creating a
Mustang Museum, our initial goal was to find an existing building
and open the Museum. When we explored areas to become the
home of the Museum, Concord, NC became the focus of our search.
As we explored the location we were offered the opportunity
of having a building built for the Mustang Museum, as long as it
was being built in Concord, NC.
We thought this was an incredible benefit for the Hobby-a brand new
building for the Mustang Museum.
Unfortunately, the delays in getting the building grew to the point
we had to open, free of charge, the Preview Museum.
Our goal was to show the Hobby what the new Museum was
all about and at the same time show this was a serious
commitment on our part.
We ended up with a large building, and our hopes were the enthusiasts would embrace the Museum, as we had many from the Mustang
Hobby tell us they did not care for the Museum due in part to the
failed attempt in the mid-nineties.
Others told us since it is not a Ford or sponsored by Ford Museum it
is not the true Mustang Museum.
We all know the adage, "build it and they will come".
Yes, we did have people come to the Museum, but not enough
numbers needed to support the cost of running the Museum.
We thought this beautiful building with the great cars and exhibits
will draw the nay-Sayers to visit. We also hoped the Mustang related businesses would want to be connected to the Museum.
The hoped for results did not plan out.
Due to the high cost of running the Museum, we realized if the
Museum is to succeed, it has to move to a location that is affordable.
Of course, it is not easy to replace the original building with the
same type of building, but more affordable. That just isn't possible.
The new location expense is 75% less than the original location.
As it has been pointed out by the enthusiasts that have visited
the new location, the Museum is not the building, it is the
vehicles, exhibits, and a place for the Hobby to connect with
their passion-all things Mustang.
I can tell you we learned that the Mustang Owner's Museum members, besides the vehicles, are the most important part of the Museum.
Our goal this year is to increase our Membership level, along
with developing programs that will offer additional benefits to the Members.
One program we plan to introduce to the Membership is the
Mustang Marketplace. Members can post ads for parts, services and even vehicles available for sale at no charge.
Non-members will pay a $10 fee to post, but no charge to review or
make purchase.
We want to change the weekly email blast to include a Museum
Member and Charter Member Club story to be highlighted, share their
story and pictures through our email blast.
(More details to follow.)
We are looking forward to the upcoming 2020 year, with
new events, marketing, and more ways to connect to the
Mustang Hobby.