2 | Sunday, November 12, 2017 | The Topeka Capital-Journal
HH Q&A: MIKE PATTERSON
THAD ALLTON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL
Mike Patterson, owner of Historic Harley-Davidson and co-founder of the Evel Knievel Museum, saw Evel Knievel perform at the Kansas State Fair in September 1971. Patterson was 4 years old and can clearly recall the excitement of that day.
Topeka businessman driving force behind Knievel museum By Jan Biles
jan.biles@cjonline.com
Mike Patterson, owner of Historic Harley-Davidson, took a leap of faith a couple of years ago when he decided to act upon an idea to build a museum in Topeka dedicated to legendary daredevil Evel Knievel. The risk paid off. The museum opened in late May and has drawn visitors from around the globe. Patterson, who co-founded the museum with actor-film producer Lathan McKay and Topeka lawyer Jim Caplinger, recently talked about how the idea for the museum came about and how the project has far exceeded his expectations.
EVEL KNIEVEL MUSEUM
Your introduction to Evel Knievel was at age 4 at the Kansas State Fair. What was that like? I don’t remember a lot about being 4 years old, except for that. That day at the state fair, we were sitting in the top row and I have the whole picture, the whole scene in my mind exactly how it all went down — waiting for him to come out of the truck, doing all the speed runs and the wheelies, all the anticipation and, you know, finally the jump. It’s interesting to me that I have that much of a recollection of it from 4 years old, but I think that’s the impact of Evel Knievel. … He was a unique character, PATTERSON continues on 7
What: A two-level museum commemorating the career of daredevil Evel Knievel through his jumps, motorcycles, clothing, products and restored Big Red Mack truck. Where: Inside Historic Harley-Davidson, 2047 S.W. Topeka Blvd. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday-Monday Admission: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $7 for students age 8 to 16; free for age 7 and younger. Information: (785) 215-6205; hello@evelknievelmuseum.org; evelknievelmuseum. com; facebook.com/theevelknievelmuseum/; twitter.com/EKMuseum; instagram.com/ evelknievelmuseum/ Museum director: Bruce Zimmerman Marketing director: Amanda Beach