Trip ideas while visiting South Bend in Indiana
The Studebaker National Museum preserves and celebrates the remarkable legacy of one of America’s most storied transportation companies, housed in a striking three-story building in downtown South Bend. The museum traces the company’s journey from its humble beginnings as a blacksmith shop founded in 1852 by the Studebaker brothers through its evolution into the world’s largest wagon manufacturer and eventually one of the most innovative American automobile companies. Visitors are greeted by an impressive collection of over 120 vehicles, ranging from meticulously restored Conestoga wagons and carriages to sleek mid-century automobiles and military vehicles that helped shape American transportation history.
The first floor of the museum is dedicated to the company’s earliest days, showcasing horse-drawn vehicles that established Studebaker’s reputation for quality craftsmanship long before the automobile era. Among the most prized exhibits is the carriage used by President Abraham Lincoln on the night he attended Ford’s Theatre, a sobering artifact that connects visitors directly to a pivotal moment in American history. The collection also includes the Conestoga wagon, the iconic vehicle that carried pioneers westward, along with elegant presidential carriages used by Presidents Grant, Harrison, and McKinley during a time when Studebaker was the carriage maker of choice for the White House.
Transitioning to the automotive era, the second floor chronicles Studebaker’s bold entry into automobile manufacturing in 1902 with electric vehicles, followed by gasoline-powered models that would compete with Detroit’s largest automakers. The museum displays stunning examples of pre-war Studebaker automobiles including the advanced 1939 Champion and the glamorous President models that featured innovative Planar independent front suspension years ahead of competitors. A highlight of this section is the 1931 Studebaker President Four Seasons Roadster, one of the most beautiful American automobiles ever produced, with its long hood and elegant LeBaron coachwork exemplifying the heights of Art Deco automotive design.
The post-war innovation gallery showcases Studebaker’s most daring and influential designs from the 1940s through the 1960s, a period when the company consistently outpaced larger automakers in styling and engineering. The revolutionary 1947 Studebaker Starlight Coupe features a distinctive wrap-around rear window that made it instantly recognizable on American roads, while the 1953 Studebaker Starliner hardtop coupe designed by Raymond Loewy is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful production cars of all time. The museum also displays the quirky Studebaker Avanti, a fiberglass-bodied grand touring car introduced in 1963 that broke numerous land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats while looking like nothing else on the road.
Beyond the automobiles themselves, the museum explores the profound social and economic impact of the Studebaker Corporation on South Bend and the nation. At its peak in the early 1960s, Studebaker employed over 25,000 workers in its massive South Bend complex, with the company touching virtually every aspect of civic life from housing and education to recreation and the arts. Interactive displays tell the stories of the men and women who built Studebaker vehicles, including the Studebaker Local 5 union members who fought for fair wages and safe working conditions during the tumultuous labor struggles of the 1930s and 1940s.
The museum also preserves an extensive archive of Studebaker design drawings, engineering records, advertising materials, and photographs that researchers and enthusiasts can access by appointment. The automotive design studio exhibit replicates the environment where Studebaker stylists worked, complete with clay modeling tools, drafting tables, and original sketches that show how vehicles evolved from initial concept to production reality. A rotating gallery ensures returning visitors discover something new, with temporary exhibits highlighting specific themes such as Studebaker’s role in wartime production, the company’s innovative marketing campaigns, and the stories of individual vehicles with extraordinary histories.
Outside the museum, visitors can explore the adjacent historic buildings that were part of the original Studebaker manufacturing complex, offering a tangible connection to the industrial past that defined South Bend for more than a century. The museum participates in the annual South Bend International Festival, hosting special events and extended hours that draw automotive enthusiasts from across the country. Knowledgeable docents, many of whom are retired Studebaker employees or lifelong enthusiasts, lead guided tours that bring personal stories and technical insights to the exhibits, making each visit unique.
The best time to visit the Studebaker National Museum is during the spring and fall months, when South Bend’s pleasant temperatures make it comfortable to explore the downtown area and nearby attractions on foot. The museum is open Monday through Saturday with extended hours during the summer tourist season, and visitors should plan to spend at least two to three hours to fully appreciate the breadth of the collection. The on-site museum store offers unique Studebaker memorabilia, books, and scale models, while the museum’s location near the East Bank Trail and downtown dining makes it easy to combine a visit with an afternoon exploring the best of South Bend.