The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) not only serves as a steward of motorsports history but also as an example of how institutional memory preserves and shapes community heritage. This presentation explores the unique story of the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds in Adams County, Pennsylvania, which first gained prominence in the 1920s and 1930s as a local fairground and operational dirt speedway.
Drawing on archival records, oral histories, and community recollections, the presentation will trace the fairgrounds’ early role in regional motorsports and its subsequent decline. The narrative then shifts to the 1980s, when members of EMMR revived the dormant track, reimagining it as one of the nation’s first dedicated vintage race car exhibition tracks. This groundbreaking effort not only safeguarded the physical site but also transformed Latimore Valley into a dynamic venue where history is experienced through live demonstrations.
This presentation examines the importance of institutional memory—how a museum’s collective knowledge, rooted in personal experience and preserved documentation, guides decisions about preservation, programming, and community engagement. It explores how EMMR has leveraged institutional memory to connect multiple generations of motorsports enthusiasts and create continuity between past and present.
Bio
Alison Kreitzer is Director of Collections at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, Pennsylvania. She earned her Ph.D.
in the History of American Civilization from the University of Delaware in 2017.
Slides
Swipe left or right (or use the arrows/dots) to navigate through the presentation slides as you follow along with the episode.
This episode is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family – and was recorded in front of a live studio audience. And has been Edited, Remastered and Produced in partnership with the Motoring Podcast Network.
Other episodes you might enjoy
