Van Buren sisters’ historic Indian Motorcycle run relived

Date: 7/8/2016

SPRINGFIELD – One hundred years ago, the Van Buren sisters – Augusta and Adeline – visited Springfield on July 5 to prepare themselves for their first cross-country trip by motorcycle – the first ever accomplished by women.

On July 5, many of the riders who are participating in a re-creation of this ride visited the city and the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History to see an exhibit about the sisters and to experience the museum’s extensive Indian Motorcycle collection.

Their appearance was a preview of the seventh annual Indian Day on July 24 hosted by the museum.

Alisa Clickenger, the organizer of the event, explained the sisters came to Springfield to learn how to repair their Indians, as they knew there would be few service stations as they crossed the country in 1916.

The sisters were trying to prove a point, Clickenger said. They wanted to show that women could perform the tasks of dispatch riders, she explained.

The sisters followed the Lincoln Highway, one of the earliest cross-country roads, which linked New York, NY, to San Francisco, CA via Pennsylvania, Ohio, to Chicago IL across the Midwest through Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.

Clickenger explained the contemporary group would also follow the historic highway with some detours. She noted the sisters visited Akron, OH on their route to acknowledge one of their sponsors, Firestone Tires, but this contemporary group won’t, as Firestone no longer makes motorcycle tires. The tour will also swing through several national parks, which are also celebrating a centennial.

The Van Buren sisters took two months to complete their task in 1916 and Clickenger said the schedule for the new ride is three weeks. The ride will begin with 65 riders leaving Brooklyn, NY, but by the conclusion the contingent will have about 250 riders as they add them throughout the ride, she explained.

At least two contemporary Indian bikes will be in the group, Robert Panyda of Indian Motorcycles said. He told the group at an introduction at the museum that “Indian is woven into the fabric of American culture.”

Clickenger said it took about a year to organize this year’s trip. She added the ride would raise money for two parties – Final Salute, which cares for homeless female veterans and The Women’s Coalition of Motorcyclists, which provides safety courses to women interested in riding.

The ride also sends a message, Clickenger said. “I’d like people to know that motorcycling is a wonder sport and it’s a wonderful way to see the country and that women can do whatever they want to do,” she said.

She then quoted Augusta Van Buren, who said, “Woman can, if she will.”

The two sisters were inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame in 2002 as well as the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in 2003.

The Van Buren family lent the museum photographs and artifacts for the exhibit, “Crossing the Country to Cross Barriers: The Van Buren Sisters Ride into History,” which will be on exhibit at the museum July 30, 2017.

“The Springfield Museums are honored to be the host location for this Centennial Ride launch event,” Wood Museum Director Guy McLain said. “The Van Buren sisters serve as important role models to women even to this day, and their story fits perfectly with our exhibits about Indian Motocycles and other women trailblazers like aviator Maude Tait.”

The city’s history to Indian Motocycles will be explored even more with the annual Indian Day on July 24.

McLain explained to the group of riders and their supporters that Indian dominated the motorcycle industry for its first 20 to 30 years of the 20th Century.

On Indian Day, owners of vintage bikes will meet at the Quadrangle from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. last year more than 1,000 people came to look at the 60 classic Indians brought in by their owners.

The bikes were produced in Springfield from 1901 to 1953.

In addition to the motorcycles on display, there will be a variety of vendors, food and beverages, music provided by Rock 102 and a local DJ, and the awarding of trophies for the best Indians in a variety of categories. Commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase. Anyone bringing a pre-1953 Indian will receive a free admission pass plus a commemorative Indian Day button.  Exhibitors, and especially vendors are encouraged to pre-register by calling 413-263-6800, ext. 304.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3-17, and includes access to the Wood Museum of Springfield History and the Indian Motocycle Collection. The event is free for members or with paid museum admission.

For information on Indian Day, call 263-6800, ext. 304, or visit www.springfieldmuseums.org. To learn more about the Van Buren sisters go to www.sistersmotorcycleride.com.

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