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    America's Packard Museum

    4.5 (23 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM

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    Easy to find with this old dealership sign
    Matthew B.

    It helps if you love cars. And if you're familiar with the wonderful history of Packards, this is definitely a place to visit. Since it's housed in a former Packard dealership, there are plenty of remnants of that existence in addition to the fine automobiles. In fact, it's the most unique thing about this museum. Highly recommended for anyone with a love for fine automobiles.

    Mark K.

    I had been here before and liked it; hasn't changed much. I had some time on a Dayton trip so I stopped back. It's in an old dealership, a beautiful building. Dozens of cars, all Packards, are arranged inside. Beautifully restored, interesting specimens. There's some history of the company on the walls, and nice placards on the cars. The price is very reasonable (I think $6,) and staff are friendly. Well worth a visit if you are at all interested in cars, or history in general. Packard also built aviation and marine engines, and there are small displays about that. Mainly I just wandered among the cars, taking in their beauty. There are areas like the service bays preserved, pretty interesting for history and car buffs.

    Paul L.

    Many car museums seem to be in buildings that reflect their owners' egos. That is not always a good thing. This car museum is different: it's in a showroom and service center from the old days. Step inside and walk into a true time capsule. Cars are only one part of the story here. The furniture, lighting, flooring, and paint schemes have seemingly been simply dusted off throughout the years. There aren't a lot of cars on display compared to most other car museums but this place is devoted to the Packard and their are some great examples on display in the two buildings that comprise this museum. (I'm ready to buy the polished black Jesse Vincent Speedster on display but I doubt they take Apple Pay.) Also on display are car accessories, advertising items -- including styling models, paint, and car parts -- bicycles, engines, and an entire technician repair area. Personal transportation occupies a short time in human history and the future seems ever closer to giving us at least a portion of the Jetsons lifestyle. Will we be riding in self-driving automobiles on demand by the Ubers of the world? If so, cataloguing this incredibly important part of human existence is crucial. While we take the current role of the car for granted, our grandchildren may look at this modern version of the horse and buggy in utter amazement.

    Original 1917 dealership.

    Hidden gem. If you are anywhere near Dayton and love cars this is a must see. Bob walked us around and had lots of information for us. We really enjoyed ourselves.

    The Citizens Motorcar Co. of Dayton, OH back in the day.
    Andy R.

    This museum is a labor of love. Not only a love for cars, but one far more profound. The Citizen's Motor Car Company was the Packard dealership in Dayton OH. The entire building has been beautifully restored as it was in the 'Golden Age' of motoring, complete with an extensive collection of ephemera, documents, and 50 of the most luxurious and beautiful automobiles ever crafted. Not built--crafted. In early 20th Century America, if you wanted a luxury car, you bought a chassis for about $10,000 (just for the frame, engine, drivetrain, wheels, axles) from Packard. Then your Packard dealer commissioned a carrossier to build the body, interior and paint to customer specs. Thus the term 'custom' applied to nearly every Packard produced in the 1920s-30s. My favorite piece is THE 1903 Packard Grey Wolf racer that set the 1904 Measured Mile World Record of 77 MPH with W.K. Vanderbilt, Jr. at the wheel. Look closely at the pictures and try to imagine it. Remember, this was a time when 'Blacksmith' was still a viable vocation. My father and I visited some time ago and were greeted warmly at the door by an elderly gentleman who introduced himself simply as Bob. He gave us a personalized tour, demonstrating all of the hidden features on these glorious creations. His knowledge was encyclopedic (rich with anecdote) having restored a good many Packards with his son. Bob's son, a successful attorney, restored this beautiful building, expanded this collection and today shares it with all of us. During our visit, it was impossible not to notice that we were sharing in something much greater than cars, but of the bond between Bob Sr. and his son. I am grateful to have met him. Additionally, CMCC stocks parts for Packards and keeps a fleet of exceptional models for limousine service.

    Joe T.

    I wish this place had more reviews and more visitors. The day I visited, there was only 1 other visitor. Staff is very friendly and informative. They can give you a tour or you can walk around by yourself. It is not just the cars but building itself. A staff member educated me that the building is a former Packard Dealership. They have some of the old office space from the sales floor and a lot of the items you find in a dealership garage. It is definitely worth a visit. The cars are beautiful. Spread out among 2 buildings, there is plenty to see in an hour or two. Packard just did not make cars, they also made engines for WWII PT boats. An interesting fact you can read about in building 2. They also have the some historical cars on display. One was used in The Godfather movie. A great place to stop in. It is street parking. and is not far from downtown Dayton.

    The Packard Museum
    Kevin F.

    I am absolutely disappointed in myself! I am disappointed in the fact that I've driven by this place multiple times & have never stopped! That all changed last week as my father & I were driving home from lunch. We drove by the Packard Museum & we both noticed it was open. My dad suggested that we go in & the rest is history. We walked into a part of Dayton history. The museum is one of the last Packard dealerships in existence & it's like stepping back in time. Music from the 1930's plays over the sound system as you wander around the museum. The Cars are magnificent as are the offices that were a part of the original dealership. If you like a retro vibe, this is the place for you! My father & I chatted with a volunteer named Dick who gave us a great overview of Packard automobiles & the museum. The cars are amazing, the building is full of character & you are transported into a much classier time. This is definitely a hidden gym in Dayton. The museum is open 7 days per week & it is very affordable! Check this place out & appreciate an era of craftsmanship.

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    9 years ago

    The Museum is great, but some of it's business practices are far from honest or ethical. I would never donate or purchase from them again

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    11 years ago

    Awesome. The curators are super helpful and available to answer any questions you may have. Truly a relic.

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    11 years ago

    A true hidden gem! The owners were funny and friendly. The place was beautiful with funny murals. The cars simply astounding!

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    Review Highlights - America's Packard Museum

    Great collection of cars as well as all the accessories you would find in a working Packard dealership.

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    The Lift - Transition from Ceremony to Cocktail

    The Lift

    (1 review)

    Let's start with the Staff If you want to go through the…read moremost stressful wedding planning this is your place! Let's start with my first ever walk through. We got there on time and the venue coordinator rushed us the whole time! When we told her we weren't having alcohol at the wedding she said "well that's odd" (meanwhile you have to purchase all alcohol thru the venue "$$$ hungry place" ) I also explained how I would like to rearrange some things regarding the layout and was told it wasn't going to add any additional cost... I received the contract to book and they added a fee at the last minute. I reached back out and they literally made a fee of something they told me during my walkthrough was going to be free. Not good communication on this fee and no apology on giving false information. I wish I could tell you that being discriminated against regarding alcohol was the worst but it's not. (The reasoning for our wedding not having this was due to religious reasons which was on my file) Please read on. The owner The owner is honestly a horrible person. She would reach out to me with an attitude everytime there was issue but then also said the issues never happened. My coordinator never handled any of the questions I ever had. The last phone call I had with the owner (meanwhile this was our 45 day out call) she started with "So are you wanting to cancel because I don't think we're a good fit for you" first thing out of her mouth plus this was told to a bride 45 DAYS before her wedding?! The biggest day of her life!? Not only that I explained how I just been hurt by so many situations from the staff here (all upper management) and how all of this could be easily moved on if I just had an apology she replied "well that's not going to happen so anything else" Plus she even said how she was thinking of canceling my wedding and wouldn't confirm if she would or not. After my phone call I wanted to get this in writing so I emailed her. (Disclaimer : With this location if it's regarding anything important, make sure you have it on email because anything else said during tours or phone calls they will not respect or act like they heard it) on the image below, you can clearly see how she's not even willing to give me an apology or confirm that she's not canceling my wedding 40 days out. Everything that was true stated by staff that I voiced to the owner was responded by saying "that didn't happen move on" "my staff wouldn't say that they're trained better" always disregard anything I said. You will never feel heard here. Unfortunately after only a couple months booked with them I realized every phone call and in person interaction needed to be recorded. I have proof of all of this. Unfortunately google will not let you put voice memo in the review. Our last meeting / walk thru During the 45 day out meeting the owner brought in the building manager and the venue coordinator including herself and her non staff husband. She would not speak to me and just look at her husband to answer. After the meeting we had our final walk thru and she was talking awful about me to the building manager. Then just left. After we were finished with our walk thru getting everything ready the building manager came up to me and my family and apologized and said "I don't know why Ashley (the owner) said you guys were an escalation you seem like great people. (Again I have this recorded) The good. I was assigned to a new venue coordinator who actually respected me. She told me she was not going to let the owner cancel the wedding and explained how that would literally be the worse thing someone could ever do to a bride. Helped me work seating charts back and forth. Katie was the only person who gave me peace of mind. Email from the owner below with no apologies or explanation of why she acted the way she did. Why I still booked I've got a lot of questions about why did I still book but if you live in the Dayton area you know there's not much to pick from to stay in budget. Don't get me wrong it's a beautiful location it's just the staff. Until I thought The venue was disgusting. See photos below. I had a bridesmaid go there before anyone to take picture so we could have before and after just in case if they kept our security deposit. The stairs were filled with dirt. The white walls had black marks on them. The bathrooms were not cleaned. The toilets were disgusting! Hair all over the floors. Trash not taken out. Let's just say I was only there for an hour before my feet were completely black on the bottom. There's even cobwebs in almost every single corner of the venue. AGAIN SO MUCH DUST. Just look at my feet completely black from one hour in the bridal suite. I hope this helps a future bride to save tears during a season that's supposed to be exciting not heart breaking time filled with stress due to the staff. I hope you can feel safe going to a 45 days out meeting and know that you're being heard. Most importantly I have you hav

    From the owner: Featuring 20,000 square feet of usable space and a wealth of natural light, The Lift is a stunning,…read moremodern remodel of a 1900s factory building for weddings and events. Complete with a refurbished lift elevator, luxurious bridal & groom’s suites, and a stunning staircase for the bride’s grand entrance, The Lift is one of downtown Dayton's newest attractions! The Lift was carefully designed to not only preserve this gorgeous 120-year-old building's unique features, but also to provide a modern, luxurious aesthetic for today's brides and event planners in and around Dayton. Gorgeous open floor plans allow for seamless transitions to each part of the event without changing table and chair arrangements.

    America's Packard Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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