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At the Museum

Explore Harley-Davidson History

Global events, H-D milestones, and grand adventures. Find all these stories and more at the world’s only H-D Museum.

The Origins of a Legend

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    The Founders of Harley-Davidson

    William Harley and Arthur Davidson sold their first motorcycle in the backyard of the Davidson family home in Milwaukee in 1903. That same year, Arthur's brother Walter joined and by 1907, their brother William joined. They could have scarcely imagined what they had started.

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    Building A Milwaukee Icon

    Explore the original campus that remains as Harley-Davidson headquarters through this look at how the Juneau Ave. factory developed from 1906 through the 1920s.

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Stories from the Archives

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    The Early Years of Harley-Davidson

    The first few years of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

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    The Bar & Shield

    What is the origin of the Bar & Shield logo? It is one of the most commonly asked questions related to Harley-Davidson history. The early years of the logo include both facts and mysteries.

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    1908 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Ride

    One group ride and the start of a long tradition in motorcycle culture.

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    Harley-Davidson York Factory

    Explore the history of the Harley-Davidson York factory and its pivotal role in the company’s growth and legacy.

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    The World’s Fastest Harley-Davidson

    Built for speed and destined for glory: a legend returns home to Harley-Davidson.

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    Harley-Davidson During World War II

    A brief look at how Harley-Davidson Motor Company, employees and riders contributed to the war effort.

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    10 People You Should Know from H-D History

    Get to know some of the riders, employees, and fans at the heart of H-D's 120+ years of history.

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Want to see the Sportster Streamliner in-person?

This Is Me showcases the record-setting motorcycle recently returned to the Harley-Davidson collection.

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Born to Ride, Destined to Design

Willie G. Davidson

A tireless artist, passionate rider, and grandson of a Harley-Davidson co-founder, Willie G. Davidson shaped legendary motorcycles and iconic designs.

Check Out More H-D Stories on Google Arts & Culture

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Meet Armando Magri

Discover the adventurous life of a passionate motorcycle rider.

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Dorthy ‘Dot’ Robinson

Ask any motorcycle history buff to name the most influential women riders of the last century, and Dorothy “Dot” Robinson is sure to come up.

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Five Things You Never Knew H-D Made

While H-D is best known worldwide for its motorcycles, from the very beginning it also produced a variety of other products.

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The Amphibious Sidecar Tour of the Salton Sea

A century ago, John Edwin Hogg and Phillip Johnston journeyed to the Salton Sea — discover their story.

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A Motorcycle Vacation with Lillian Hauerwas and Ernestine Langenberg

In 1914, two friends took a motorcycle with a sidecar on a week-long trip and a 750-mile adventure.

Listen & Explore at the H-D Museum

Visit the H-D Museum and hear the voices of riders, heroes, and experts with our self-guided audio tour, available in 7 languages.

Dive into the rich history of Harley-Davidson through our curated collection of stories, exploring the company’s iconic motorcycles, legendary riders, and groundbreaking innovations. From the early days in Milwaukee to the development of the Bar & Shield logo, the 1908 Chicago Ride, and the York, Pennsylvania factory, each story highlights the people, products, and milestones that shaped Harley-Davidson into a global icon. Whether you’re a longtime enthusiast or discovering Harley-Davidson for the first time, these historic tales bring the brand’s legacy to life. Visit the H-D Museum to see these stories firsthand and experience the machines, exhibits, and history that continue to inspire riders around the world.