NEWS
Introducing Kokomo’s Legacy to a New Generation
Kokomo’s 1891 Seiberling Mansion holds a wide range of local history, including connections to the city’s legacy of automotive innovators.
Inventive Spirit
Home of the Howard County Historical Society, Kokomo’s 1891 Seiberling Mansion holds a wide range of local history, including connections to the city’s legacy of automotive innovators. In 1914, entrepreneur and automotive inventor George Kingston purchased the impressive Richardsonian Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne-style home, originally constructed for industrialist Monroe Seiberling and now operated as the Howard County Museum.
Prior to making his fortune, Kingston first relocated to Kokomo in 1900, working at the Ford and Donnelly Foundry as a pattern maker. In 1901, he developed the Kingston carburetor, and with the help of investors, soon founded the Bryne-Kingston Company to manufacture his new product. The company would go on to sell Kingston carburetors to Henry Ford for use in Ford Model Ts. Later merging with Kokomo Brass and Kokomo Electric under the new name Kingston Products, the company manufactured everything from carburetors and spark plugs to radios, lawn mowers, and a line of toys including race cars and fire trucks that are still popular with collectors today.
Mr. Kingston’s Auto Exhibition
To share Kokomo’s automotive heritage and Kingston’s legacy with a wider audience, Howard County Historical Society launched Mr. Kingston’s Auto Exhibition in 2022. The free annual event, happening this year on July 25 and 26, invites visitors of all ages to experience automotive heritage up close, featuring over 40 pre-1950s cars displayed on the grounds of the Seiberling Mansion, including the Ford Model T that helped Kingston make his fortune. As part of the festivities, the Seiberling Mansion will be open with free admission, giving guests the opportunity to peruse not only the stately home where Kingston lived but exhibits showcasing his inventions, as well as other Howard County history. Refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the event.
Indiana Automotive is pleased to sponsor the 2025 Mr. Kingston’s Auto Exhibition through a $300 grant to Howard County Historical Society in support of the event’s educational activities for children. Planned children’s programming includes on-site car building and derby track racing, a take-home activity kit, coloring pages, a scavenger hunt, an educational table featuring automotive artifacts, and the opportunity to speak with actors portraying Mr. and Mrs. Kingston.
Learn more about Mr. Kingston’s Auto Exhibition and Howard County Historical Society at howardcountymuseum.org.
Seiberling Mansion, Kokomo. Courtesy Howard County Historical Society.
Stay up to date on the latest news, stories, and events from Indiana Landmarks, around the state or in your area.