Studebaker National Museum

Studebaker National Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of U.S. presidential carriages. It features the barouche Abraham Lincoln used en route to Ford’s Theatre the night of his assassination.

Others in the collection include carriages used by Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinley and Benjamin Harrison.

Studebaker Corporation in 1966 donated its 33-vehicle collection to the City of South Bend. It included the presidential carriages and the family’s Conestoga wagon. Together it formed the basis for the museum. It runs the gamut of automobiles produced by Studebaker during the height of its production.

Some exhibits move in and out of the museum, meaning you'll want to visit regularly to see what's new. Here's what the museum has on display now or coming soon.

Reel Rides: Cars of TV & Film

Take a joyride through Hollywood history with some of the most iconic vehicles ever to hit the silver screen (and your TV screen)! From sleek sports cars to family haulers, these fan favorites have taken us on cross-country adventures, wild chases, and action-packed escapades we’ll never forget. Get up close to legendary rides like the 1966 Ford Thunderbird from Thelma & Louise, the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTSi from Magnum PI, and more. It’s the ultimate pit stop for movie buffs, car lovers, and nostalgia junkies alike! View through May 25, 2026.

MOMENTS THAT MADE US

Every community has moments that shape its identity, and South Bend is no exception. Through the experiences of entrepreneurs, workers, artists, and civic leaders, visitors will discover how local history reflects and contributes to America’s broader story. Developed by History Colorado and a multi-state collaboration for the nation’s 250th anniversary, Moments That Made US allows host communities to connect their own local histories to the American experience. The exhibition explores five themes drawn directly from the Declaration of Independence: Created Equal; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Free and Independent States; Consent of the Governed; and We Mutually Pledge. The featured moments remind us that our story was never inevitable, we shaped it at every turn.

Through artifacts, photographs, and first-hand accounts, Moments That Made US invites you to see how local moments and experiences became part of the American story as part of the ongoing America250 celebrations at the Studebaker National Museum and The History Museum. View through January 3, 2027.

American Treasures

Go deeper with American Treasures, a self-guided audio tour that highlights rare artifacts with local connection but national significance. View April 26, 2026 through January 31, 2027.

Studebaker as a company worked with the U.S. government dating back to its beginnings as a wagon producer. That tradition continued through the Vietnam War. Many of these vehicles are on display at the museum. Studebaker transferred its government contracts in 1964 to Kaiser-Jeep.

In an ode to local history, the museum also displays some vehicles made by the local AM General plant, which has operated in the military sphere.