| |
The Arizona License Plate Society Club Museum Project
was an idea of then-Treasurer Joel Kimmet back in 2001.
The plan was for the club members to create a complete
run of Arizona license plates that could be displayed
in a museum or other public location. The hope was that
the Club Project would serve as a tool for generating
interest in Arizona license plate history amongst the
public, but also serve as an advertisement for the club
among the public who might be interested in license plates.
Joel and fellow member Gene Cox worked hard promoting
the project and securing donations. As plates were donated,
Gene would update a chart and recognize members who helped
this project move along. The donating member’s name was
added to the run next to the plate to recognize the generosity
of the gift. The project received a significant boost
in 2004 when a member from Scottsdale named Ed Myers donated
several difficult plates from the 1920’s and 1930’s. A
Tucson member named Arlon Burns painstakingly restored
some tough-to-get years. Arlon’s generous donation of
his time and skills on these plates helped boost the legitimacy
of this project and make this a fine representation of
our club and our hobby. In recent years, Treasurer Bruce
Biemeck has led the project and worked to get some of
the last few plates needed, as well as assembling a temporary
display board.
In 2005, the project was complete with the exception of
the 1914, 1915, and 1946 sticker. Member Bill Ledbetter
saw the almost complete display at the June Pinnacle Peak
meet and pledged a 1915 to the project. The 1915 was restored
lovingly by Arlon Burns and is now one of the centerpieces
of this run. As of 2008 this project is complete, sans
the 1914 and an original 1946 sticker (we currently have
a reproduction on display). Display time has been limited,
though, to displaying the project only at ALPS meets.
One of the dilemmas in placing the project at a museum
was the inability to secure the plates in a way they would
be protected in a public environment. Existing display
case space at museums tends to be at a premium. That being
the situation, it made sense to pursue getting a custom
display case or shadowbox specifically to showcase this
project. The only question was how to pay for it. In 2008,
a limited edition souvenir plate was developed with the
sole purpose of raising money for a secure display case.
The souvenir plate contained a graphic collage of actual
plates from the Club Project. The plates were consecutively
numbered from 1914 to 2010, one for each year represented
in the Club Project. Members then purchased a plate of
a year that has significance to them with the proceeds
going towards the display case for this valuable project.
The hope still lives this project will eventually be displayed
in the new cabinet, complete with a 1914 and 1946 sticker.
How soon we get there, however, depends on your help.
If you would like to donate one of the missing plates,
or would be interested in contributing toward a fund to
help purchase the plate or the display case, please contact
us! We appreciate your support of this valuable project
and for helping to preserve the legacy of Arizona license
plates.
|
|
