American Motorcycle Association - Motorcycle Museum

Story and Photography by:

Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Finding its current home in 1999, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  The museum houses memorabilia and records to preserve motorcycling heritage.

Impression:

I'll first start off by saying that I am not a bike guy.  I can appreciate what they are and know the names of some of the more famous riders and athletes.  I also have many friends that love to ride.

With that, I did not know what to think or what I thought I might get out of the museum.

I was attending the Journey of Andrew Byrd launch event (10,000 mile ride in 10 days to raise money and awareness to combat childhood cancer), and the AMA Motorcycle Museum was allowing attendees free admission.

The Motorcycle Museum has done it right, as I feel you do not have to be part of the motorcycle culture to appreciate the culture, history and displays.

What can be appreciated from my perspective is the history as well as the craftsmanship that goes into the engineering and design.  Looking at the styling of the bikes over the years and noticing the differences between motocross, street bikes and high end, built for speed records machines.

I'd also like to take some time to commend the staff that works there.  They are a wonderful group of people that are a wealth of knowledge and utterly helpful.  This is a great organization and they have given the central Ohio community a great showcase to one of our oldest modes of transportation.

The Leatherlips Monument

Written by: Andrew & Dani Livelsberger

Photographer:  Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Native Ohio limestone slabs make up the structure of this monument to an important Native American historical figure.

Chief Leatherlips, also known in his native language as SHA-TE-YA-RON-YA of the Wyandot tribe, got his name from the settlers who described him as "having an admirable trait of never breaking a promise".

The Dublin Arts Council commissioned the artist Ralph Helmick to design the piece and it was dedicated in Scioto Park in July 1990.  The location is just a short drive down the road from Chief Leatherlips burial site.

The background on Chief Leatherlips is rather fascinating, and we encourage anyone interested in history to research this pivotal figure in Ohio's legacy.
For those looking to see the  stone monument in person, it is located at 7377 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH.

Impression:

The monument is quite large, actually larger than the perception you get from the images here.  It really is a neat idea to have used individual stones to construct the face.  

If you walk all the way to the back, there is a dirt path that lets you walk up and stand in the head portion of the structure.  A short ways down the hill and directly in front of the monument, there is a plaque that give a little history on the monument and Leatherlips.  It also gives you a good view too.

Overall, I really liked the park and the monument.  If you are int he area, it is worth the short stop to see.