Iver Johnson: Pioneering Bicycle Design

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 The Fitchburg Historical Society is expanding its popular summer exhibition of classic Iver Johnson Bicycles to include dozens of documents and photos dating from Fitchburg’s “Golden Age” of bicycle production.

Iver Johnson: Pioneering Bicycle Design displays many popular and historic bikes that were made for decades in Fitchburg by the Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works. The majority of bicycles have been loaned by a number of local and regional collectors; others come from the Fitchburg Historical Society collection, which includes bicycles and ephemera donated by Richard Hansen.

The bicycle models on exhibition are a favorite among bicycle historians for the quality of their construction and their capacity for high speed in long-distance bike races. These included racing bikes, standard and touring bikes, as well as children’s bikes and tricycles. They are known as some of the highest quality bikes ever made.

The skilled metal workers who created Iver Johnson bicycles were known for the quality and consistency of their work. Some worked for as many as 60 years at the factory, which also produced Iver Johnson guns until the 1970’s. This year’s exhibition will feature images and records documenting the factory and workers that produced the famous bikes. The Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works were also skilled at advertising, marketing, and distribution, and examples of their memorable advertising campaigns will also be included in the exhibition.

 This exhibition will coincide with a full day of bicycle activities in Fitchburg, on Sunday, June 26, when the Arthur Longsjo Classic Bike Race comes to Fitchburg and the FITchburg Rides program will offer bicycle events for riders of all ages. The Iver Johnson: Pioneering Bicycle Design exhibition at the Historical Society will be open extra hours that day, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This exhibit is free and open to the public. 

For more information you can email The Fitchburg Historical Society here, visit our facebook or call us at 978-345-1157