HARRISVILLE - A large part of Cliff Weeses life rests within thewalls of an old 13,000-square-foot building that used to house a cardealership here. Weese, who turns 60 this month, recently openedCliffs Museum of Car Memorabilia in what he refers to as TheBuilding at 305 East Main St. in this Ritchie County town. Thebuilding, which Weese renovated himself, holds his impressivecollection of car-related memorabilia, with items such asregistration cards, license plates, chauffeurs badges and WestVirginia travel guides on display. He owns everything in the museumexcept one tractor and four antique cars. During an open house inmid-May, Weese said he and his wife, Sue, expected 40 to 50 peopleto show up. More than 200 visitors from eight states stopped in tosee Weeses collection. Nobody in Harrisville knew I had it, he said.Weese said most people who visit the museum are from out of state,with some coming from as far as Colorado. The majority of the itemsin his collection are from West Virginia. I like things that aremade in West Virginia, he said. Im interested in preserving thehistory of automobiles in West Virginia. Weese, who works as amechanic for a chemical plant, has had a love for antique cars for43 years. His first antique car was a 1930 Model A Ford, which hesold when he joined the Army. Since then, Weese has raided fleamarkets, yard sales, antique stores and online auctions looking forcar memorabilia. He has attended several license plate collectorsconventions, and says 75 percent of the 1,000-plus West Virginiaplates he owns were bought out of state. They say usually there isone nut in every state that collects license plates like I do, hesaid. Weese owns license plates from every year except 2005 and2006. He even has a 1917 one-horse wagon plate from Wheeling. Thewalls of the museum are adorned with license plates from movies,prototype plates and rejected license plate decals. The clock fromhis fathers auto shop in Buckhannon hangs on one wall, and one roomin the building has been turned into a library full of literature onautomobiles and legislative acts dealing with driving. Cars featuredin the museum include a 1927 and a 1936 Chevrolet, a 1924 Model Ttouring car, a 1967 Chevelle and Harrisvilles first official firetruck, a 1949 Dodge. Also on display are relics from the SterlingOil Refinery, Elk Oil, Esso, AAA and Coca-Cola, which he says hecollects because every car dealership had a Coke machine and someCoke stuff in it. Along with what is already stored in the museum,Weese has two buildings full of car memorabilia and a few moreantique vehicles at home. He said he does not know the value of hiscollection, and doesnt plan on finding out anytime soon. Even if Iknew, I wouldnt tell you, he said. He isnt looking to make a quickbuck off his museum. If people want to make a donation, thats great.If not, thats still great, he said. This is not for everybody, andits nothing you could make money at. Weeses wife of just a year anda half, Sue, said she is still trying to learn about her husbandsextensive collection. I figured I could fight for time with himevery day or I could join in on the fun, she said. She still followsher husband as he gives tours to visitors, trying to absorb enoughso she can eventually give tours, too. Repetition is going to helpme learn, she said. He definitely knows what hes talking about. Themuseum has no regular hours. Visitors can call and make anappointment, or just catch us when were in, said Weese. To Weese,the most valuable aspect of his memorabilia is sharing it withothers. Stuff isnt any good unless you can share it with people, hesaid. This stuff doesnt do any good boxed up in your attic. For moreinformation on Cliffs Museum of Car Memorabilia, visitwww.cliffwvathe building.com or call 304-643-4227.
BOB WOJCIESZAK/DAILY MAIL Cliff Weese has put a lifetimecollection into a museum in Ritchie County that everyone can enjoy.Cliffs Museum of Car Memorabilia in Harrisville holds a collectionthat includes everything from cars to oil cans. His wife, Sue, saidshe tags along on tours so shell be able to describe everything tovisitors, too.
A Chevrolet coupe is one of the largest exhibits in the museum,which also is packed with photos, signs and other memorabilia.
Elk Motor Oil is a brand formerly made in Charleston.
Clockwise from left: An old-time sign features a State Policeofficer warning to slow down in a school zone. Other vintagecommercial signage includes an old Pennzoil logo. This radiatorgrill sports the classic blue Chevrolet 'bow tie.'
One whole display is devoted to Quaker State products andautomobile racing memorabilia.
Weese has an impressive collection of West Virginia licenseplates, including prototypes and some that never made it to thegeneral public.