Museum under attack for ‘racist’ display

VOLO — The Volo Auto Museum is taking heat for a display that includes model cars, a kiddie ride and a model-inspired, helmet-capped, full-size car that has some visitors up in arms over alleged Nazi ties.

“So many people associate our Red Baron items with the Nazis simply because they are German,” said Brian Grams, museum director, referring to a few of the exhibits in Showroom 4. “We’ve had comments on Facebook, in emails and even in Google reviews that these items are offensive. We’ve had visitors remark to us that they won’t be back over these ‘racist’ items.”

Manfred von Richthofen — aka the Red Baron — died in April 1918, a year and a half before Adolf Hitler’s post-World War I rise to power started, according to history books.

“The Red Baron was a respected war hero who died before formation of the Nazi regime,” Grams said. “These things have less to do with Nazis than Mercedes-Benz or Volkswagen.”

Inspiring the ire are a children’s ride featuring the Red Baron’s triplane, a full-sized car inspired by Tom Daniel’s famous, late 1960s Monogram model and some still-in-the-box model cars.

Museum officials are no strangers to the occasional backlash, having seen visceral reactions to the Trump limo and Dukes of Hazzard exhibits. Grams said the museum displays items of historical interest — without regard to politics. He noted that officials there attempted to buy a Chrysler 300 once owned by former President Barack Obama, but the price was too steep.

“We would have gladly bought that and put it next to the Trump limo,” Grams said. “But not when the asking price was $1 million.”

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The Volo Auto Museum features roughly 400 classic, muscle and film-famous cars as well as vintage snowmobiles, scooters, antique arcade machines and other rarities. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $15.95 for adults, $13.95 for seniors, $12.95 for military personnel with I.D. (free for military in uniform), $8.95 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger. For other information, call 815-385-3644, visit volocars.com or find Volo Auto Museum on Facebook.

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Suggested caption: Some Red Baron-inspired exhibit items at the Volo Auto Museum are drawing fire from visitors alleging the displays are racist. Volo Auto Museum Director Brian Grams says those drawing a connection between the Red Baron and Nazism are misinformed.