OBJECTIVE
Last fall, the South Florida Museum was selected to be the beneficiary of the first annual West Coast Bike Fest . This three-day event drew thousands of motorcycle fans from across the country. Other organizations in the community joined to host events such as the Get Down Downtown on Main Street, a Poker Run , and live music at the fair grounds. Money raised was donated to the South Florida Museum for educational programming. The event was a huge success and all segments of the community worked towards welcoming bike enthusiasts. Immediately after this success, plans were begun to make the WCBF an annual event to benefit educational programming in the community.

This year, from September 4 through October 14, 2007, the South Florida Museum, in conjunction with the Second Annual West Coast Bike Fest will exhibit vintage motorcycles alongside newer models illustrating the history and trends of modern motorcycling. Included will be racing bikes, street bikes, touring bikes, military bikes, vintage advertising materials, movie posters and the accoutrements that riders wear. A special exhibit of motorcycle photography by Scott Odell will be included.

Photography by Scott Odell

This exhibit allows motorcycle enthusiasts of all backgrounds the unique opportunity to view motorcycles outside the garage, the “biker bar” or the racetrack. Held during the West Coast Bike Rally, the exhibit will be a destination for those traveling to our community and provide an opportunity to showcase motorcycles not normally seen within a museum atmosphere.

EXHIBIT FACTS:

The exhibit will be developed and designed by SFM staff curator, Suzanne White. Advisor is Scott Odell, professional motorcycle photographer and on the staff of SFM. Local motorcycle shops, collectors and builders have generously lent motorcycles for the exhibit and events in connection to the West Coast Bike Rally are in the planning stages.

EXHIBIT DESIGN :

Vintage motorcycles will be shown with the contemporary model of the same bike to illustrate how technology has improved performance. Award winning racing bikes and touring bikes will also be included. A custom street bike, illustrating the trend in the industry, will be the focused piece. All motorcycles will be on risers with appropriate labeling. Graphic panels will narrate the history and importance of motorcycles with historical photographs supporting the exhibit. Secure exhibit cases will include a memorabilia and objects to be determined.

SUGGESTED EVENTS :

• Opening reception
• Lecture/speaker series
• Tours
• Films

HISTORY OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM

The South Florida Museum was incorporated in December 1946 and opened its doors in January 1947. It is one of the oldest operating museums in the State of Florida. It is also the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's west coast. The South Florida Museum includes the Bishop Planetarium and Parker Manatee Aquarium.

The Museum exhibits on the first floor, renovated in the past five years, interpret the region from the Pleistocene to European First Contact with life-sized dioramas and dramatic exhibits based on its extensive collections of anthropological artifacts and biological specimens. The second floor exhibits include a Visible Storage Gallery where study of the collection is encouraged, the River Heritage Hall illustrating the historic cultural importance of the region, a Medical Museum where the local history of medicine and health is interpreted and the environmental wing designed to educate visitors about the flora and fauna of the central gulf coast region from the Pine Uplands to the Gulf Waters.

The East Gallery, on the first floor, is 1800 square feet of secure exhibit space designed for temporary exhibits. Ongoing exhibits focus on history, culture, science and the arts as they relate to the lifeways, waterways and natureways of Florida.