STOP! You are about to embark on a journey through time. HISTORY LIVES HERE! At The RV/MH Heritage Foundation Inc., we don’t just display old vehicles. We preserve the DNA OF AMERICAN ADVENTURE!
Whether you are a lifelong camper or a history buff, this guide is your ROADMAP to the evolution of the recreational vehicle. From horse-drawn wagons to the sleek silver bullets of the mid-century, the HISTORY OF RVS is a story of freedom.
THE DAWN OF THE NOMAD: PRE-1910
BEFORE THE ENGINE! People still wanted to roam. It started with the Gentlemen Gypsies.
- 1884: Dr. Gordon Stables commissions “The Wanderer.”
- THE SPECS: 18 feet of solid mahogany. Two horses to pull it.
- THE VIBE: High-class leisure for the British elite.
- US ARRIVAL: American hunters and explorers began building “houses on wheels” in the 1890s.
LOOK FOR THIS: See the primitive wooden structures in our early collection! They prove that the urge to travel is INSTINCTUAL!
1910: THE BIG BANG OF THE RV INDUSTRY
THE YEAR EVERYTHING CHANGED! 1910 marks the official birth of the commercial RV. No more DIY. PRODUCTION BEGINS!
- LOS ANGELES TRAILER WORKS: They started it all.
- PIERCE-ARROW: They debuted the “Touring Landau” at Madison Square Garden.
- LUXURY ALERT: It had a fold-down bed and a LAVATORY! In 1910!
ANTIQUE TRAILERS from this era were the first step toward the modern Class A motorhomes we see today. They were heavy. They were loud. They were REVOLUTIONARY!
THE ICONIC 1913 EARL: A MUST-SEE EXHIBIT
ATTENTION! You cannot visit our museum without standing in front of the 1913 EARL.
- THE ANCESTOR: This is the direct great-grandfather of the travel trailer.
- CRAFTSMANSHIP: Look at the wood-spoke wheels. Look at the craftsmanship.
- INNOVATION: It solved the problem of “where do we sleep?” during the dawn of the automobile age.
Explore our full list of member companies like A.C. Nelsen Camper World to see how the industry grew!
THE TIN CAN TOURISTS: A SOCIAL REVOLUTION
JOIN THE CLUB! In 1919, the “Tin Can Tourists” formed. This wasn’t just about the vehicles. It was about the COMMUNITY!
- THE VOW: Members promised to be helpful and maintain high moral character.
- THE GEAR: Often self-modified Ford Model Ts.
- THE NAME: They ate out of tin cans! They were the original VAN LIFERS!
By 1921, there were over 17,000 members. They paved the way for the campgrounds and RV parks we love today. WITNESS THEIR LEGACY!
THE 1915 GYPSY VAN: THE FIRST CLASS A?
IMAGINE THIS: A 25-foot, 8-ton beast of a vehicle.
THE OWNER: Roland Conklin.
THE TRIP: Huntington, NY to San Francisco.
- AMENITIES: Kitchenette. Full shower. Phonograph.
- CAPACITY: It could carry 17 people!
- IMPACT: It showed America that the “house on wheels” could be a palace.
THE GOLDEN AGE: THE 1930S AND BEYOND
AIRSTREAM ARRIVES! No name is more synonymous with VINTAGE TRAVEL TRAILERS than Airstream.
- WALLY BYAM: The legend. The pioneer.
- THE DESIGN: Inspired by aircraft. Riveted aluminum.
- THE DURABILITY: Many 1930s Airstreams are STILL ON THE ROAD TODAY!
During this era, we also saw the rise of brands like Airfloat Coach Manufacturing. Their “streamlined” look defined an era of optimistic American design.
PRO TIP: When walking through our museum, look for the transition from wood to aluminum. It is a STUNNING visual shift!
TEARDROPS AND TENT TRAILERS: ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
COMPACT POWER! Not everyone wanted a palace. Some wanted a TEARDROP.
- 1937: The Teardrop trailer peaks in popularity.
- THE DESIGN: Sleep for two. A kitchen in the hatch.
- THE GOAL: Efficiency. Lightweight towing.
We also showcase pioneers like Apache Trailers. They mastered the “fold-down” concept. SEE THEM IN PERSON! It is engineering genius in a small package.
THE POST-WAR EXPLOSION
WELCOME HOME! After WWII, soldiers returned with a hunger for the open road. The industry exploded.
- THE MOTEL ON WHEELS: Families wanted comfort.
- THE INNOVATIONS: Propane appliances. Better suspension.
- THE BRANDS: Companies like Aristocrat became household names.
The HISTORY OF RVS mirrors the history of the American middle class. As highways grew, so did our trailers!
WHY AN RV MUSEUM MATTERS
PRESERVATION IS OUR MISSION! Without the RV/MH Heritage Foundation, these stories would be lost to the scrapyard.
- EDUCATION: Learn how engineering solved travel problems.
- INSPIRATION: See the craftsmanship of industry pioneers.
- NOSTALGIA: Step inside vehicles that haven’t changed since the 1950s.
Read more about our heritage partners like AAA Mobile Homes!
PLAN YOUR VISIT NOW!
DON’T WAIT! History is waiting for you in Elkhart, Indiana.
- HOURS: Check Plan Your Visit for current seasonal hours.
- LOCATION: 5600 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46514
- WHO: Perfect for families, clubs, and solo travelers!
EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE! Walk through the halls where the legends of American Coach Co and Ace Fogdall RV are honored.
THE FINAL WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
As Daryll Milnikel, President of this great foundation, I invite you personally. We have the coolest, weirdest, and most beautiful ANTIQUE TRAILERS on the planet. Come see why we are the ULTIMATE DESTINATION for anyone who loves the road.
GEAR UP!
PACK YOUR BAGS!
SEE YOU AT THE MUSEUM!
Note: For more information on historical industry players, check out our records on ABC Coach/Anderson Coach and Alpine RV.
FOLLOW THE TRAIL! Keep exploring our website for more deep dives into the pioneers who made mobile living possible. The road never ends, and neither does our commitment to the HISTORY OF RVS!
PLAN YOUR VISIT!
ACT NOW! Come see the museum for yourself at 5600 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46514!
- PLAN YOUR VISIT: Review current visitor information on Plan Your Visit.
- MAKE IT PERSONAL: Share your favorite vintage camper memory in the comments!
- DON’T MISS IT: History, nostalgia, and adventure are waiting!
READY TO EXPLORE?
Scroll up to the top to see our featured image again!
Visit our Hall of Fame section to see the faces behind the brands!
Support our mission by becoming a member!
ACT NOW! The history of the road is calling your name!