Illinois auto museum attempts to stop McDonald’s museum demolition

The Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois, has reached out to McDonald’s Corp., Oak Brook, Illinois, in an attempt to stop the demolition of the McDonald’s Store No. 1 Museum in Des Plaines, Illinois, a report by the Northwest Herald says. Volo is offering to relocate the museum and replica of the chain’s first restaurant from Des Plaines to Volo.

McDonald’s Corp. previously announced the museum would be demolished in December and donate the land to the city of Des Plaines. The report says poor attendance rates caused the company’s decision.

Ray Kroc built the first McDonald’s restaurant in 1955 in Des Plaines. The report says he franchised the brand from its original owners, Richard and Maurice McDonald. The museum, which includes Kroc’s original sign, opened in 1985.

Volo Auto Museum reached out to McDonald’s Corp. through a Facebook post that has been shared more than 1,000 times. The auto museum is asking residents to vote online to decide whether the relocation is a good idea, the report says.

Brian Grams, director of the Volo Auto Museum, says in the report the museum’s goal is to relocate and restore the entire structure.