Context
Since 1971, an extensive collection of original truck publications, build sheets, and historical materials documenting the growth and evolution of the trucking industry in North America has been gathered in a single location in Kansas City. Today, the ATHS Library houses over 500,000 items, including photographs, films, literature, and artifacts.
This unique archive serves as a vital resource for those interested in trucking history, as well as for social scientists studying the industry’s innovations, workforce, and broader impact on North American society.
Many of the documents in this collection are rare or even exclusive to the Kansas City library. While the physical library welcomes around 250 visitors annually, access remains a challenge due to the physical nature of the materials. Potential visitors are often unsure of what they might find, and many original documents are at risk of deterioration due to aging materials and storage conditions.
Goals
To gather historical materials of significance to the history of the trucking industry in North America, and protect valuable historical documents by digitizing them and making them universally accessible.
Activities
Projects may include:
- Collecting historical resources;
- Curating the collection;
- Digitizing documents to prevent deterioration;
- Making these resources publicly available for education and research.
Myriad Canada is working with the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) on this project. Incorporated in 1971, ATHS was formed to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers. Originally headquartered in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, ATHS was relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1977, and Mrs. Zoe James was hired to oversee the library, archives, and membership. Today, the ATHS Library boasts a collection of more than 50,000 photographs, 35,000 pieces of sales literature, 45,000 books, and periodicals, along with a vast collection of scale models and trucking memorabilia. They have a strong commitment to making these significant historical materials as widely accessible as possible and already disseminate it themselves by various means (for example: visitor center, periodicals, annual convention).
Myriad Canada’s role is to carry out charitable projects across the globe in accordance with its charitable purposes. We control and monitor the use of funds and the progress of charitable activities to ensure that donations made to Myriad Canada have the greatest impact in accordance with donors’ expressed wishes. As a member of the Myriad Alliance with offices in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, Myriad Canada has a vast international network and extensive practical expertise.
How to support this project?
By credit card: At the top right of this page, indicate the amount you wish to donate, and make the donation online by credit card. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes by e-mail just a few minutes after making the donation. It is simple and quick!
By cheque:
- Make your cheque out to Myriad Canada.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: We receive a lot of cheques! You must please indicate “Project E404 – Truck Historical Heritage North America” in the memo line of your cheque to ensure that it is allocated correctly.
- Mail your cheque to: Myriad Canada, 1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 1670, Montreal, QC, H3B 2B6, Canada.
By Direct Deposit:
- For transfer instructions, please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.
For Donation of Securities:
- Please email or call Caroline Chaulet: caroline@myriadcanada.org or +1 438 300 8122.
For Monthly Donations:
- We use CanadaHelps. Please find the link here.
If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
All donations are eligible for a tax receipt in Canada.
The projects are managed with the greatest care and professionalism.