Goodyear to close World of Rubber museum

ERJ staff report (TB)

Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear will close its World of Rubber museum located at Goodyear Hall in Akron on Aug. 28.

The museum, which opened in 1948 as a historical exhibit for the Akron-based tyre maker's 50th anniversary, is closing because of declining attendance and the sale of Goodyear's Akron buildings, the company said.

Many of the museum's attractions will be moved to new homes at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens estate in Akron and the Military Aviation Preservation Society Air Museum located at the Akron-Canton Airport. Stan Hywet was built by Goodyear co-founder F.A. Seiberling. Goodyear's Airship Operations division will restore and display airship-related materials at its Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar.

Final visitors to the museum can receive free copies of “The Goodyear Story,” by Maurice O'Reilly and “The Legend of Goodyear-the First 100 Years,” by Jeffrey Rodengen.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)