Golden Age of Trucking Museum

"In the 1950's there was a certain charisma to
these machines. The trucks of the 50's had souls:
they were alive. They had a different look to
them and a different sound." Richard J. Guerrera, Sr.

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 a 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 in attendance including Governor John Rowland, Senator Lou DeLuca, and First Selectman Ed St. John. Speakers included Governor John Rowland, Senator Lou DeLuca, 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, 2008...
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 and one half staff and has more than 30 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 Art”, featuring artist Bryant Stewart. In the Showroom there is a display of antique trucks ranging from the early 1900’s up to the late 1970’s. Mack, GMC, Diamond T, Autocar, Brockway, White, International, Pierce Arrow, Republic, Jeep, Dodge, Sterling and others are all represented in the display. Library Lane is a comfortable reading area with many transportation related books, periodicals and magazines.
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. There is also a fire truck that they may get into. 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 is also available for rental for weddings, fundraisers, parties, showers, business meetings, birthdays, graduations, baptisms, bar mitzvahs and anniversaries. The museum hosts yearly events such as; Winter Saturday Seminars, Summer Cruise Nights, A Harvest Festival, An Antique and Classic Truck Fest, Santa and Mrs. Claus and a February Fundraiser. Museum sponsorships and memberships are available and the museum has an ongoing Brick Campaign to raise funds. The Golden Age of Trucking Museum is opened year round Thursday through Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4. Extended July and August hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 12-4. You can get to the museum via exit 16 off of I84 in Middlebury to 1101 Southford Road. For additional information please call 203-577-2181. It is close to home and worth the trip.