The IMRRC’s archived collections represent over twenty-five years of generous donations. Collectively, they document the rich history of racing. Frequently, the contents of a donation are not known until the material arrives. Descriptions of donations may be detailed, but sometimes, as with the description above, there is a lack of specificity. This is why our first priority when a donation arrives is to inventory items prior to archival housing for long-term storage. For us, this can be the most exciting step in processing a collection, uncovering treasures along the way.
The Yochum collection prior to processing. The helmet is a Cromwell helmet, made in England. Yochum’s name is written on the outer rear of the helmet.
The Don Yochum Collection, a compendium of personal racing memorabilia from Don’s racing career in the 50s and 60s, is a perfect example of this process of discovery. Looking at the unprocessed material in its banker box, there were some obvious exciting items: A brilliant blue vintage helmet and a racing suit sat on top. It wasn’t until we began the inventory that we began uncovering the story of Don, Doug, and Del Yochum, or the “3Ds” as they were known. A trio of racing brothers who frequented NY race tracks in the 1950s.
Del, Don, and Doug Yochum, known as the 3Ds, posing with the car #3D.
Among the items underneath the clothing, were the pages of an old adhesive photo album filled with images of Don, Doug and Del’s racing days. As part of the processing, the photos will be removed from the album and placed in protective housing. These items are also candidates to be digitized and made available for researchers online.
In addition to the photographs, the collection includes magazines and newspaper clippings that document Don and his brothers’ careers.
Helmet and racing clothing in temporary housing, ready to be inventoried.
Personal collections like the Don Yochum Collection are particularly valuable to the Center’s mission. Documenting the racing experience of the Yochum Brothers tells us not only about the family’s racing history, but also about racing in New York in the 50s and 60s, and – more generally – the racing careers of the many other racers mentioned in the sources. The IMRRC is honored to be entrusted with the preservation of these important motor racing artifacts.