The historic town of St. Michaels makes history again with a tribute to America’s love affair with the automobile and the open road. The Classic Motor Museum will opens its doors to the public in May. It’s the only museum of its kind in the mid-Atlantic between Pennsylvania and North Carolina and it has a unique educational mission.

Fans of classic vehicles will find a rotating collection that offers a different experience with each return visit. The collection will include pre World War II classics, post WWII sports cars and modern specialty cars like Corvettes, Mustangs and rat rods. Visitors will also be able to pore over an extensive collection of motoring artifacts, including classic models and a comprehensive automotive library.

And it doesn’t end there. The price of admission to the grand opening fundraiser will support the non-profit museum’s mission to educate and train young people in the art and craft of classic vehicle restoration and maintenance. Classes are already underway. The grand opening is the culmination of five years of planning, fundraising and building. It began in the spring of 2012 when Talbot County came to the Commissioners of St. Michaels looking for ideas to boost tourism. They came up with the concept of a classic motor museum but decided it would be more than a tourist attraction.

Museum President Tad duPont, says, “Right from the start we saw the museum as a way to give back to the community.” In addition to the educational program, part of the museum proceeds will go to charitable organizations in the county, once the museum pays off its construction debt. It has all been made possible though the generosity of donors and volunteers. Tad points out that not a single tax dollar has been spent on the museum.

There will be a Grand Opening celebration on April 22. Tickets are $50 and will be available at the door, or through the museum website at http://www.classicmotormuseumstmichaels.org. In addition, the museum is selling raffle tickets to win a classic 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL Roadster. Raffle tickets are $50 each and only 500 will be sold. Sponsorships are still available. The grand opening festivities will feature docent led tours, food from area restaurants, and beverages supplied by Eastern Shore Brewing Company and Lyon Distillery.

The Classic Motor Museum is located at 102 East Marengo Street in St. Michaels. After the grand opening celebration, the museum will be open four days a week, Thursday through Sunday.