Devoted to the auto industry – builders to enthusiasts

Golf to real estate, the Blackhawk Community represents different things to different people.

For automotive enthusiasts, what matters is the Blackhawk Museum. It's a testament to rare cars, Bentley to Ferrari, Packard to Duesenberg.

But the museum, which opened in 1988 is more than place to gawk at some of the world's finest cars. The museum has an increasingly popular docent training program and a pro-active, three-level education program for students.

The showcase for the museum, of course, is its vehicles. The museum's cars are displayed in two main galleries, two smaller-room displays and a combined viewing area of more than 70,000 square feet. More than 80 one-of-a-kind or limited edition cars are permanently displayed, including Duesenberg, the powerful handmade luxury cars made in the United Sates from 1913 to 1937.

But fanciers of nearly every classic manufacturer — Ferrari to Maserati, Porsche to Packard — can find a favorite. Luxury sedans from the early 1900s to sports cars with impressive race pedigrees are presented with detailed histories as well as accompanying video programs.

The museum's vehicles are all on loan from private collections, with some each year involved in world-renowned car celebrations like the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach.

Like the main showrooms, Blackhawk Museum's revolving smaller showcase exhibits are coordinated by Jon Hart, museum curator and marketing director. Two current exhibits on display through November are dedicated to the automobile in art and homage to the uniqueness of Duesenberg.

The art exhibition includes an extensive collection of more than 200 paintings, sculptures, illustrations, toys, games, and other three-dimensional automotive-themed objects celebrating the history of automobiles under the theme "The Motor Car in Art."  The goal of the exhibit is to show how art interprets the changing time and cultures influenced by the motoring age.

The Duesenberg exhibit features several of the unique vehicles and their reputation as among the most powerful and luxurious cars ever made.

Blackhawk Museum is located at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, Calif., 94506. Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, and most major holidays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Telephone 925-736-2280. Web site: www.blackhawkmuseum.org.