Todd Keeran writes, “Just wanted to let everyone know I set up an (admittedly amateur) website at www.savemistereds.com/. My kids really loved the store and museum and I’m primarily hoping to gather some elephant donations to help the museum rebuild.”
Olga A. Herbert, Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, just alerted me that Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum in central Pennsylvania has been destroyed by fire. Owner Ed Gotwalt has spent decades amassing his collection of elephant-themed objects joined to a candy and gift store; he also serves on the Corridor board of directors. Olga said it “burned to the ground late last night, including every elephant. He plans to rebuild and be open by September 1.” Although the news is horrible, it’s equally astounding that he’s ready to rebuild and so quickly! The York Distpatch covers it here and the York Daily Record ran a story about Ed vowing to rebuild.
Route 30, a fictional film shot along the Lincoln Highway in central Pennsylvania this summer, premiered in at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg last Saturday. The Gettysburg Times reported, “The 88-minute movie, created on a $50,000 budget, had crowd members laughing, area residents pointing out places they knew and showed a glimpse of what growing up in south central Pennsylvania was like for [producer/director John] Putch.” His parents are actress Jean Stapleton and William Putch, former artistic director of the Totem Pole Playhouse just west on the Lincoln. A portion of the proceeds from the premier benefit the playhouse and Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.
Olga Herbert, LHHC director, sent these photos and reports, “Route 30 – 3 stories, 1 Highway was a hoot and brought the sellout crowd at Gettysburg’s Majestic Theater to their feet more than once. I’ve already made arrangements with the director to show it in smaller theaters (not the mall cinemas) up and down LH/Route 30 in PA. He’s working on the logistics. I was glad our LH road signs made it to the big screen twice and the script included a reference to LH. You’ll get a bang out of it, and Mister Ed and his Elephant Museum have a pivotal role in the plot.” Judging by the bottom photo, we’ll have to line up to get Mister Ed’s autograph from now on!
And here’s a trailer for the film:
The Chambersburg Public Opinion reports on the forthcoming film Route 30 (previously written about here in posts 1 & 2). The article notes that writer/director John Putch is the son of Bill Putch, former artistic director of the Totem Pole Playhouse, located between Gettysburg and Chambersburg. It also mentions that a portion of the profits from the September 27 premiere at Gettysburg’s Majestic Theatre will benefit the playhouse and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.
One of the featured locals is Ed Gotwalt (above), owner of Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum along the Lincoln Highway in Orrtanna:
Gotwalt, who plays himself, sells peanuts and other goods to a handful of the movie’s characters, helping to connect the three storylines…. Gotwalt pops in and out of the movie, which features three different plots. Each one pays homage to the areas around state Route 30, with a comedic twist.
The world premiere of Route 30 will be at the Stony Brook Film Festival in Long Island, N.Y., in July.
The September 27 premiere in Gettysburg starts at 8 p.m. in the Majestic Theatre. Tickets cost $16 and can be bought from the Majestic’s box office, online at http://www.gettysburgmajestic.org, at the Totem Pole Playhouse, and at Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum.
Photos used with permission, www.route30movie.com.
Click the map above for a full-size view of the Lincoln Highway.
Like this blog? You'll LOVE my books!Lincoln Highway Companion features detailed maps and places to eat and stay. Click the book to buy it on Amazon.
Click the Greetings book below to purchase the ultimate guide to the history and route of the Lincoln Highway!
Another fun book! The Ship Hotel: A Grand View along the Lincoln Highway recalls the greatest roadside attraction along the coast-to-coast road.
And for those who LOVE diners, click the book below to purchase our completely updated guide to the history, geography, and food of Pennsylvania's Diners!
Route 66 News
Lincoln Highway News 