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- Gilkie Tent Trailer, circa 1927 - Campers who wanted to get close to nature -- but not too close -- loved fold-out tent trailers. These two-wheelers folded down for easy towing by day and then mushroomed into miniature homes at night. Story has it that Warren and Ray Gilkison designed and built their first tent trailer in their father's machine shop for a family camping trip.

- circa 1927
- Collections - Artifact
Gilkie Tent Trailer, circa 1927
Campers who wanted to get close to nature -- but not too close -- loved fold-out tent trailers. These two-wheelers folded down for easy towing by day and then mushroomed into miniature homes at night. Story has it that Warren and Ray Gilkison designed and built their first tent trailer in their father's machine shop for a family camping trip.
- 1935 Stagecoach Travel Trailer, Used by Charles Lindbergh and Family - Henry Ford gave this trailer to his friend Charles Lindbergh in 1942. Charles and his wife Anne used it as a home on the road and as a spare room and a study at home. Anne wrote <em>The Steep Ascent</em> here, and Charles wrote portions of his Pulitzer Prize-winning book <em>The Spirit of St. Louis</em>.

- 1935
- Collections - Artifact
1935 Stagecoach Travel Trailer, Used by Charles Lindbergh and Family
Henry Ford gave this trailer to his friend Charles Lindbergh in 1942. Charles and his wife Anne used it as a home on the road and as a spare room and a study at home. Anne wrote The Steep Ascent here, and Charles wrote portions of his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Spirit of St. Louis.
- Toy Car and Camping Trailer, 1954-1955 - Toymakers began producing toy automobiles and automobile-related vehicles around 1900. This mid-1950s toy car and trailer let children image they were driving off to some vacation getaway.

- 1954-1955
- Collections - Artifact
Toy Car and Camping Trailer, 1954-1955
Toymakers began producing toy automobiles and automobile-related vehicles around 1900. This mid-1950s toy car and trailer let children image they were driving off to some vacation getaway.
- Thomas Flyer Stuck in Mud on the Pathfinder Tour before the New York to Seattle Race, 1909 - The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer, like later contestants, encountered poor road conditions and struggled through the mud of the western United States.

- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Flyer Stuck in Mud on the Pathfinder Tour before the New York to Seattle Race, 1909
The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer, like later contestants, encountered poor road conditions and struggled through the mud of the western United States.
- Trailer Camping with a Ford V-8 Woody Station Wagon, 1939 - Some people preferred the home-like comfort and privacy provided by trailers compared to auto- and tent-camping. The couple in this photograph enjoys camp life under a striped awning attached to their trailer.

- May 15, 1939
- Collections - Artifact
Trailer Camping with a Ford V-8 Woody Station Wagon, 1939
Some people preferred the home-like comfort and privacy provided by trailers compared to auto- and tent-camping. The couple in this photograph enjoys camp life under a striped awning attached to their trailer.
- Covered Wagon Trailers Catalog, "For Touring, Camping, Hunting, Fishing," circa 1930 - Auto camping in the 1920s and 30s did not need to be uncomfortable. Trailers could provide home-like comforts not found in a tent. This 1930s Covered Wagon trailer catalog depicts happy inhabitants enjoying real beds, preparing meals in compact but convenient kitchens, and eating meals in peace and comfort. The trailer became not only a shelter but a home.

- circa 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Covered Wagon Trailers Catalog, "For Touring, Camping, Hunting, Fishing," circa 1930
Auto camping in the 1920s and 30s did not need to be uncomfortable. Trailers could provide home-like comforts not found in a tent. This 1930s Covered Wagon trailer catalog depicts happy inhabitants enjoying real beds, preparing meals in compact but convenient kitchens, and eating meals in peace and comfort. The trailer became not only a shelter but a home.
- Thomas Flyer Stuck in a Ditch during the Pathfinder Tour Prior to the 1909 New York to Seattle Automobile Race - The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer found the western U. S. terrain difficult to travel -- much like it had the previous year.

- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Flyer Stuck in a Ditch during the Pathfinder Tour Prior to the 1909 New York to Seattle Automobile Race
The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer found the western U. S. terrain difficult to travel -- much like it had the previous year.
- Thomas Flyer Stuck in a Ditch during the Pathfinder Tour Prior to the 1909 New York to Seattle Automobile Race - The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer found the western U. S. terrain difficult to travel -- much like it had the previous year.

- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Thomas Flyer Stuck in a Ditch during the Pathfinder Tour Prior to the 1909 New York to Seattle Automobile Race
The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer found the western U. S. terrain difficult to travel -- much like it had the previous year.
- Digging the Thomas Flyer Out of Mud during the Pathfinder Tour before the New York to Seattle Race, 1909 - The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer, like later contestants, encountered poor road conditions and struggled through the mud of the western United States.

- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Digging the Thomas Flyer Out of Mud during the Pathfinder Tour before the New York to Seattle Race, 1909
The famous Thomas Flyer -- winner of the 1908 New York to Paris race -- was chosen as the pathfinder for the 1909 New York to Seattle race. As the pathfinder, the Flyer laid out the route that race participants would follow a few months later. The Flyer, like later contestants, encountered poor road conditions and struggled through the mud of the western United States.
- Camping Equipment Catalog, "Easy Going Travel Fun and Convenience are Yours with a Travel Mate," 1966 - By 1966, pop-up tent trailers were common among families wanting to experience the outdoors with the comforts of home. This trade catalog for Travel Equipment Corporation promotes the "Easy Going Travel Fun" families could have with a Travel Mate trailer.

- 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Camping Equipment Catalog, "Easy Going Travel Fun and Convenience are Yours with a Travel Mate," 1966
By 1966, pop-up tent trailers were common among families wanting to experience the outdoors with the comforts of home. This trade catalog for Travel Equipment Corporation promotes the "Easy Going Travel Fun" families could have with a Travel Mate trailer.