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Red-Crown Mini-Museum history and post card

 Collection — Communal Collections Box: 2, Placement: 08
Identifier: MSP 58

Scope and Contents

The Red Crown Mini-Museum history and post card documents the chronological history of the museum. The collection consists of an 8 ½" x 11" sheet of paper detailing the chronological history, along with three copies of a picture post card of the Red Crown Mini-Museum.

Dates

  • Creation: 1927 - 1991

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Material copyrights held by original creator. Consult Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

The Red Crown Mini-Museum is located at the corner of 6th and South Streets in downtown Lafayette, Indiana. It is right next to Tippecanoe County Library.

The gas station was built by Standard Oil Company of Indiana in 1927-28 and had a one garage bay attached. It was built with glazed brick on all walls and red tile on the roof. In 1935-36 a second garage bay was added. It was in operation as a gas station until 1979, in 1985 the library bought the property for a future parking area. In 1991, Don Stein, a local business man and auto collector offered to restore the gas station, and it was finished later that year.

The interior and exterior is now filled with gas station memorabilia, mostly related to Standard and Red Crown Gasoline. The garage bays are filled with antique cars, and in the parking lot there is a 1931 Ford tow truck. Anyone who comes by should check in the mailbox at the front door and grab a picture postcard and information sheet on the station.

In December 2018, the Tippecanoe County Library unveiled a 24-hour library which resembles a large ATM, filled with books, audiobooks and movies all located in the partially renovated Red Crown Mini Museum.

Extent

0.025 Cubic Feet (One folder)

Acquisition Information

Acquired circa 2000s, donor is unknown.

Processing Information

All materials have been housed in polyester sleeves, an acid-free folder, and an acid-free box.

Genre / Form

Title
Red-Crown Mini-Museum history and post card
Status
Under Review
Author
Mary A. Sego
Date
2020-03-25
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Second edition. Collection description first completed 2010-11-08.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839