The Everywhere blog

The Harley-Davidson museum opened its doors this month on 20-acres of reclaimed industrial land along the Milwaukee peninsula. And just in time too! Celebrations for the 105th anniversary have thousands of Harley enthusiasts riding their beloved two-wheelers across the country and straight into Milwaukee's largest summer party.

Designed by architect James Biber and his team at Pentagram Design, the plan for the museum was inspired by a photograph of an old factory, taken by Bernd and Hilla Becher. The factory theme became the common thread through the museum's structure, which exposes most of the support beams and steel that make up the frame.

One of the most symbolic elements is the  four-sided steel tower (right) at the entrance, which encases a massive Harley logo. Willie G. Davidson, chief styling officer, brought in a Lego version of his vision during the design phase and thought that since the Harley engine is the jewel in the frame of a Harley motorcycle, the Harley logo should effectively be the jewel in the frame of the museum, and mimic the look of an engine in a motorcycle frame. Pretty cool, Willie!

The opening of the Harley Davidson museum is exactly what the Grand Opening theme is all about. Celebration events for Harley's 105th anniversary will run from August 17-27, and the new museum will run for much longer than that. If you are venturing to Milwaukee for the grand opening events and anniversary celebrations tell us about it, and if you encounter any Grand Openings of your own on your travels, tell us about them here!

(Photos above: Street View of Isleton, California, by Karen Schmautz and below: Entrance to the new Harley-Davidson Museum from blog.pentagram.com.)