You wouldn’t think, but in a quiet suburb of New York City, a man has amassed what is often referred to as the largest collection of Mack and antique trucks in the world. We introduce you to the Mahan Foundation of Basking Ridge.
As with all Mr. Local History retrospectives, we often update the post when we learn stories and are sent photos from our internet community. We will continue to grow this piece as information becomes available. If you have a comment or photo, feel free to post at the bottom of this page or drop us a note.
Mr. Local History Project
The Mahan (pronounced May-han) Collection Foundation Inc. is an antique trucking museum located in Somerset County, New Jersey. Gary Mahan, founder and President of the foundation wanted to take his truck collection to the next level, and ensure that his immaculate restorations would be protected for generations to come.
In 2001, the museum was formed as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. The collection is displayed throughout six buildings on 40 acres, along with memorabilia that will take your breath away. The museum operates with a crew of 3 full-time restoration mechanics to ensure that it can keep the museum going with new acquisitions and restorations.
The Mahan Foundation collects, restores, and maintains one of the largest antique truck collections in the world.
Over 200 trucks from the early 1900s to the 1990s make up the collection.
Special thanks to DailyDieselDose and Clark Perks for their footage.
First Truck in the Collection
Mahan’s obsession began way before he moved to Basking Ridge in 1983. Formerly of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, the Mahan collection began with a purpose as he wanted to use a truck, his first truck, a 1927 AC 5 Ton truck he now calls “The Wedding Truck,” that was his mode of transportation at his wedding.
She said she didn’t know if she was marrying Gary, or the truck.
The obsession has since led to over 200 trucks across 6 buildings that are now part of his foundation’s collection, preserved to continue long after Gary is unable to manage the collection. His daughter Kathryn serves as director of the foundation, museum curator, tour guide, social media director, and mother. She is the only one who has spent her entire life around the family collection and is up to the challenge.
We are a team of 3, that focus on making sure these trucks and pieces of equipment are displayed for future generations to touch, feel, and learn about American trucking history.
Gary Mahan, founder of the collection
It is just incredible to walk the property, going from building to building, each one full of what would be the very foundation of any other collection. Even a non-truck lover can’t help but be overwhelmed by the display, which exhibits the Mahan family’s passion and love for trucks.
Bring the Kids
Walking the collection, you can’t help but feel the kid in yourself as a child playing with yellow Tonka trucks on a dirt pile in your backyard. Gary hasn’t forgotten thoughts that are the imagination of young children as there is an unspoken rule at the museum. You bring the kids, put them in the truck, tractor, bulldozer, or even a dozen pedal cars, and let the kids experience trucks. It’s a touch-and-feel museum meant for experiencing, and that means experiencing. So feel free to bring the kids. They’ll love it.
National Truck Show Recognition
Each year, between May and October, the foundation takes selected trucks to approximately 10 different truck shows and caravans to allow spectators to see their restorations. Many don’t know the history of the Mack Truck Company, founded in 1900 as the Mack Brothers Company. It manufactured its first truck in 1907 and adopted its present name in 1922. One of the largest and favorite shows is the annual Macungie Antique Truck Show hosted by the Antique Truck Club of America. Macungie is the home of Mack Trucks.
Our Goal each year is to bring a newly finished truck into the Truck Show Season to wow our friends and followers and to keep the Museum exciting for our returning guests.
Gary Mahan
See any of the Mahan collections there? They’re in there!
USS New Jersey Gun Barrel Exhibit
The USS New Jersey is one of the most famous battleships ever. Deployed first during WW2, it was recommissioned for the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and after the Beirut bombing in Lebanon in 1982. The restored gun barrel is a 250,000-pound piece of American history on display at the Mahan Museum.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial is across the Delaware River, where she was built in Philadelphia.
A great day trip- Battleship New Jersey Museum, 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ.
Mahan Ties to the Local Community
In Bernards Township, in addition to the Mahan Foundation museum, the Mahan family used to own the Millington Quarry and the Basking Ridge Country Club until 2021, when the golf course and club were sold.
Special Thanks
The Mahan Foundation offers guided semi-private and private tours of the collection throughout the year. It welcomes any truck lover or history enthusiast to come and see what they’re up to. A very special thank you to Kathryn (Kat) Mahan Piper for spending a morning and sharing her stories growing up around the collection. Born and raised in Basking Ridge, her goal now is to showcase the collection to the community. The Mr. Local History Project will be back….GUARANTEED!
We’re restoring American trucking history one piece of machinery at a time.
Kathryn Piper – Vice President, The Mahan Collection Foundation
Additional Local History Posts
Hi , I would like to know how to set up a tour. Thanks
Check out their website at https://www.themahancollection.org/
Hello, we are mid restoration of our 1919 AB Mack. Could you tell me where I could get the proper nameplate for the side if the cab. Is someone reproducing them?
I was at the open house for the first-time last year. I was totally awestruck! I was a little kid again, thinking of the toy trucks I had and some I still have!