Take a Trip to Connecticut: The Golden Age of Trucking Museum
The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Inc. was founded by Richard J. Guerrera in July of 1998. At that time, Mr. Guerrera was the owner of R.J. Guerrera, Inc., a liquid transportation trucking company with its headquarters located in Naugatuck, Connecticut. He founded the company in 1969, beginning with one truck and expanding his business to a fleet of over 120 trucks with terminals located in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and Florida. When his trucking business became successful, Mr. Guerrera began collecting and restoring antique trucks. During his ten or so years of collecting and restoring, Mr. Guerrera would take his vehicles to local and national truck shows and offer them for use in local parades. He served as President of The Motor Transportation Association of Connecticut and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Antique Truck Historical Society, a member of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, and many more local and national organizations.
Richard Guerrera was known for his civic mindedness and committement to the betterment of his community. He donated his time and funds to many local causes, such as, Howard Whittemore Memorial Library, Middlebury Public Library, University of Hartford, Naugatuck High School Athletic Field, Groton Submarine Base and many more too numerous to mention.
The Golden Age of Trucking Museum was another way in which Mr. Guerrera wanted to give back to the community. With over twenty pristinely restored vehicles he wanted to have a place where the trucks could be “under one roof and enjoyed by all.” He had the antiques stored in barns and garages all over Connecticut and had not ever seen the trucks “all in one place”. In 1998, Richard Guerrera incorporated The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Inc. as a non-profit organization with the mission statement... To educate the public, and to preserve and exhibit the history of the American truck transportation with a special emphasis on the 1950’s Golden Age of Trucking. He then set out to find a location for the museum. He went to officials in Naugatuck, Hartford, and Waterbury and at the Naugatuck Railroad to find property. He discovered that property on Southford Road in Middlebury was for sale. Interestingly, when Mr. Guerrera first started RJ Guerrera, Inc., it was located just down the road from the Southford Road location on Kissewaug Road. He had moved to Naugatuck after the Middlebury property had become too small to accommodate his growing business. Because he was a Middlebury resident and had begun his trucking company in Middlebury this location seemed to be a perfect place for the truck museum. He bought the 16 acre parcel in July of 1998 and then began to get the proper town approval. Unfortunately, Mr.Guerrera was diagnosed with cancer soon after. As with every challenge he encountered, he continued on and looked to his wife, Frances, his family and trusted friends to help him continue his endeavor. The museum’s Board of Directors and Officers continued to meet and discuss plans and goals for the museum. As Mr. Guerrera became increasingly ill his family continued to care for him and let him know that the museum would become reality. In June of 1999, five of the Guerrera antiques were driven to Southford Road. An ambulance transported an ailing Mr. Guerrera to the lot and the family held an un-official groundbreaking. A month later,
Mr. Guerrera’s battle with cancer ended. He left this world knowing that his dream would
be fulfilled. Frances Guerrera financed the 32,000 square foot facility that is now home to The Golden Age of Trucking Museum. On September 23, 2002, a ribbon-cutting and reception was held to celebrate the opening of the museum. There were over 100 family members and friends and local and state officials in attendance. Speakers included John Dwyer, Mr. Guerrera’s son and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Frances Guerrera, Mr. Guerrera’s wife and member of the Board of Directors and William Jones, Richard Guerrera’s grandson. As a bouquet of yellow and white balloons were released and the flags were raised Richard Guerrera, Jr. played the bagpipes. The golden ribbon was cut by the governor, Mrs. Guerrera and her 12 grandchildren. Guests were then invited into the museum to browse through the displays and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks catered by Carol Peck’s Good News Cafe of Woodbury.
Since that sunny day in September, the museum has greeted guests from all over the country and the world.
Here are some of the comments that visitors have written in the museum’s guest book...
From 2002 until now...
Joe from Windsor, CT “Beyond my imagination!!”
Martha and Frank from Middletown, NY, “Out of this world.”
Zayne, Sloane and Cyden from Fort Wayne, IN “We had fun.”
Ken from Fort Lauderdale, FL “ Incredible!!”
Lawrence from New York, NY “Excellent, Meticulous”
Mark from Burlington Twp, NJ “ Very interesting, Nice variety of display items.”
Steve from Levin, New Zealand, “ Excellent. Beautiful exhibit. Nice staff. Took good care of me. Thanks!”
Nina and John from Newtown, CT “ The volunteers were very informative. Art exhibit was enjoyable, as was the Edaville film. A+ truck display.”
Mary and Bob from Bellmore, NY “We almost didn’t stop! The highlight of our summer.”
The Shuken family from Vacaville, CA “Terrific display! Our kids loved the interactive area! Thanks...”
William and Leon, Ezza, Phoebe, and Deizore from Belgium “A wonderful legacy”
There are thousands of positive comments in the four guest books that have already been accumulated to hold the wonderful memories that visitors have shared. At the present time The Golden Age of Trucking Museum employs two staff and has 25+ volunteers.
It is governed by a Board of Directors and Officers.
The collection of Guerrera trucks are on display at the museum permanently. Other vehicles are on loan to the museum for one year and are then rotated out so that the exhibits will be new and exciting. The museum has an extensive display of collectibles in Memory Lane. “Moving History”, a documentary about moving the Edaville Railroad from Carver, MA to Portland, ME is shown in Media on West Main.
The Founder’s Gallery is currently displaying Reflections The Golden Age Auto and Truck Art featuring artist Bryant Stewart. In the Showroomthere is a display of antique trucks ranging from the early 1900’s up to the late 1970’s. Mack, GMC, Diamond T, Autocar, Ford, White, International, Pierce Arrow, Republic, Jeep, Dodge and others are all represented in the display. Fire Chief Crawford Slason is currently displaying an exhibit titled,Westbury Antique Fire Department. Tractor Mac is also in the museum and the gift shop has all of author Billy Steers books signed. Library Lane is a comfortable reading area with many transportation related books, periodicals and magazines. We are currently expanding our library to include research materials. Interactive Interstate is our children’s area which is entirely hands-on. There are computers, books, puzzles, games, blocks...and a cut-away of a Volvo cab that the children can get into and pretend to drive.
Waramaug Way has a Chris Craft and Higgins boat on display as well as fishing memorabilia and an extensive display of vanity license plates. Guests are invited to enjoy complimentary refreshments in this area and are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy.
School groups, seniors, scouts, clubs, and organizations are encouraged to take advantage of our group rates. The museum has hosted weddings, fundraisers, bar mitzvahs, parties, showers... we even held a prom for, Westover, a local private “girl’s” school.
The longevity of the museum will be determined by the continued support of many.
