Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt - Press Release # 4

November 14, 2014

By: David L. Morrill

@MototiqueRacing

Sylacauga, Alabama

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Birmingham, Alabama
Wikipedia Commons

In 2014, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama received a Guinness World Record Certification as the largest collection of vintage motorcycles in the world. There are some 600 motorcycles of a total collection of 1200, on currently on display at any time. The museum is a must do for all motorcycle serious enthusiasts.

The museum has published several of my episodes on early Birmingham motorcycle events, and personalities in their membership newsletter Vintage Inside News. A few months back, I was asked to consult with Brian Slark, and Kelly Stewart, of the Museum Staff on their new exhibition Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt.

O.V. Hunt was an early Birmingham photographer, who took many early iconic photographs of Birmingham landmarks. He was also an early motorcycle enthusiast, and a close friend of the Birmingham Indian dealer Robert Stubbs.

Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection

Barber Museum's O.V. Hunt exhibit features photographs of early motorcycle competition events, as well as various motorcycling personalities of the time. I have over the last few years been able identify many of the people in these photographs. Working together, we were able to caption the events, and identify many of the people featured in the exhibit's photos.  The Museum was nice enough to acknowledge my contribution to the exhibit. It is a great honor to have played a small part in this important exhibit on Birmingham's early motorcyclists.

Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection

I have been invited to assist in a presentation on the new exhibit for museum members, sponsors, and the general public: Here is then Barber Museum Press Release of the event:

"Motorcycles in the Magic City"

Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, for the first of two events on "Motorcycles in the Magic City." Curator of the O.V. Hunt exhibit, Kelly Stewart, and museum consultant David Morrill will discuss how and why motorcycles played such an important role in people's lives and livelihoods in the Magic City a century ago, as seen in the images captured by Hunt in the early 1900s. 

Be on the lookout for information about our next "Motorcycles in the Magic City" event, which will take place on January 21st, 6:30 - 7:30pm, and will feature Motus Motorcycles. 

Both these events are free for museum members and volunteers, and $25 (per event) for non-members. To purchase tickets or RSVP, visit the Barber Museum or call 205.702.8713.

It is a great honor to have played a small part in this important exhibit on Birmingham's early motorcyclists.  For more information on the career of O.V. Hunt, check out O.V. Hunt -Birmingham's Photographer Episode #25:

O.V. Hint - Birmingham's Photographer Episode #25

Sources: 

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Chris Price @ Archive Moto

Kelly Stewart @ Barber Vintage Motorports Museum

Wikipedia Commons