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.

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.

TESTING TOMORROW: THE PROVING GROUND AT 100

The Studebaker National Museum proudly presents Testing Tomorrow: The Proving Ground at 100, a special display celebrating a century of automotive testing and innovation. Established in 1926 on 840 acres in New Carlisle, Indiana, the Proving Ground was one of the first purpose-built vehicle test facilities in the nation, showcasing Studebaker’s commitment to quality, safety, and engineering excellence. After Studebaker ceased operations, the site continued to play a vital role in the industry, serving companies such as Bendix, Bosch, Navistar, and now International. Today, the site is also shared by the St. Joseph County Park system and features miles of scenic hiking trails along with the famed Studebaker tree sign. This exhibition highlights the legacy of the Proving Ground through rare photographs, historical artifacts, and stories from 100 years at the track. View through November 30, 2026.

FIVE DRIVEN WOMEN

Five Driven Women explores how the automobile expanded opportunity and independence for women in the early twentieth century. Through five remarkable women and their cars, discover stories of adventure, achievement, and determination in this trailblazing exhibition.

Meet athlete Eleanora Sears and her 1912 Simplex Torpedo, socialite Maribel Schumacher and her 1928 Hudson Series O Town Car, explorer Louise Arner Boyd and her 1934 Packard Twelve, aviator Amelia Earhart and her 1937 Cord 812, and automobile enthusiast Margaret Dunning and her 1930 Packard 740. Their journeys reveal how automobiles helped women shape their own paths and how mobility became a powerful symbol of freedom and possibility. This is one exhibition you won’t want to miss! View through July 19, 2026.

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.