Plans Set For Springfield Museums’ Indian Day

SPRINGFIELD, MA – The sixth annual Indian Day at the Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., will this year pay tribute to Bob’s Indian of Etters, PA “for its many years of supporting the heritage of classic Indian cycles. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 26.

Indian Day celebrates the original Indian company that manufactured motorcycles in Springfield from 1901 until 1953. More than 1,000 Indian lovers attended last year and collectors displayed more than 60 vintage Indians. Besides bikes, Indian Day features vendors, food and beverages. Music will be supplied by Rock 102 WAQY.

Honoree Bob’s Indian was founded as an Indian dealer, and added Honda and Royal Enfield in 1960. It continues to specialize in parts and service for vintage models of those three brands as well as selling new Honda models.

Indian Day was re-established in 2010 after a five-year hiatus. It was previously held from 1970 to 2005 at the private Indian Motorcycle Museum on Hendee Street owned by Esta Manthos and her late husband, Charlie. In 2007, Manthos donated her extensive collection of Indians and Indian artifacts to the Springfield Museums where in they are now on display at the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.

Admission to Indian Day is $10 for adults, $5 for children 3-17. Anyone bringing a 1953 or older Indian to the show will be admitted free and will receive a commemorative button.

– Bud Wilkinson