From the Curator: Camper Trailers 

 

This month at KCAM, we’re taking a detour from the fast lane and setting our sights on the open road with a tribute to the camper trailers and RVs that helped define the American way of travel.

For nearly a century, RVs have been more than just vehicles. They’ve been rolling homes, family adventure hubs, and passports to freedom. From classic aluminum trailers to fully loaded motorhomes, these machines gave Americans the power to explore the country without leaving comfort behind.

The rise of the RV is a story of innovation, optimism, and a uniquely American spirit of mobility. After World War II, as highways stretched farther and the middle class grew, families began to trade train tickets and hotel keys for camper keys. Road trips became summer traditions, campgrounds filled up, and iconic routes like Route 66 turned into memory-making corridors for generations.

Kansas City, with its central location and strong ties to automotive and manufacturing industries, has long been part of this story. RV rallies, local trailer builders, and countless road-bound families have passed through or called KC home. Even today, you’ll find restored campers dotting local car shows, often with period décor and stories of cross-country adventures still intact.

This month’s Drive-In Exhibit celebrates the RV lifestyle, not just the vehicles themselves, but the memories they hold. Whether you’re a lifelong traveler or just curious about life on the road, we invite you to step inside, look around, and imagine the miles behind (and ahead).

This month at KCAM, we’re taking a detour from the fast lane and setting our sights on the open road with a tribute to the camper trailers and RVs that helped define the American way of travel.

For nearly a century, RVs have been more than just vehicles. They’ve been rolling homes, family adventure hubs, and passports to freedom. From classic aluminum trailers to fully loaded motorhomes, these machines gave Americans the power to explore the country without leaving comfort behind.

The rise of the RV is a story of innovation, optimism, and a uniquely American spirit of mobility. After World War II, as highways stretched farther and the middle class grew, families began to trade train tickets and hotel keys for camper keys. Road trips became summer traditions, campgrounds filled up, and iconic routes like Route 66 turned into memory-making corridors for generations.

Kansas City, with its central location and strong ties to automotive and manufacturing industries, has long been part of this story. RV rallies, local trailer builders, and countless road-bound families have passed through or called KC home. Even today, you’ll find restored campers dotting local car shows, often with period décor and stories of cross-country adventures still intact.

Coming next month: We’re switching gears to spotlight motorcycles — the bikes that brought wind to your face, freedom to your weekends, and plenty of horsepower to the pavement.

See you soon,
Butch Papon
Director of Collections, Kansas City Automotive Museum