VOLO, Ill. – Every time the filmmakers behind Volo Museum’s feature-length documentary thought the project was nearly finished, the story changed again. A new attraction opened. Another building was transformed. A seemingly small idea grew into something much larger. Updated event and exhibit footage was filmed, old photographs were uncovered and the finish line moved again.
Now, after nearly seven years, “Not What We Planned: The Volo Museum Story” is complete and will make its world premiere Thursday, Aug. 27, at The Vixen, 1208 N. Green St. in McHenry.
Tickets will not be sold for the event. The only way to attend the exclusive premiere is to win a pair of tickets through Volo Museum’s free online sweepstakes. Entries are now open, and winners will be announced at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. Each winner will receive two tickets, one for the winner and one for a guest.
The documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of a family business that began with brothers Greg and Bill Grams’ hobby of restoring and collecting worn-out Model Ts. What began as junk cars on a family farm grew into a tourist destination that has welcomed millions of guests from around the world.
The idea for the documentary came from Ken Goldstein, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and creative director of Los Angeles-based Oak Hollow Studios. His work includes documentaries and specials for PBS, Discovery Channel, A&E, BBC, Fox and other broadcasters worldwide.
“I first experienced Volo Museum when visiting as a kid, and I never forgot what it felt like to walk into this extraordinary place where history, imagination and popular culture all came together,” Goldstein said. “When I returned as an adult, I realized the most fascinating story wasn’t simply what the family had collected. It was how one family’s passion, perseverance and willingness to chase the next impossible idea had created something unlike anything else in America. That’s the story I wanted to tell.”
“This documentary took so long because we just never sit still,” joked Jim Wojdyla, Volo Museum’s marketing director, who co-wrote the documentary with Goldstein.
“At times, it was frustrating because we wanted to finish the film, but those delays allowed us to capture not only how dramatically Volo Museum has grown, but also how that growth actually happens,” Wojdyla said. “An idea begins as one thing and evolves into something much bigger. Even when it is finished, we’re still coming up with ways to make it a better experience for our visitors.”
For Volo Museum co-owner Brian Grams, the documentary offered a rare opportunity to pause and look back on his life and a family business that rarely slows down.
“Watching this story come together gave us a chance to reflect on how far our family has come and to see our family dynamic through an outside lens,” Grams said. “It reminded us that the most meaningful part of what we’ve built isn’t a specific car, building or attraction. It’s the journey we have shared as a family and with the people who supported us.”
Grams also chose to give away premiere tickets rather than sell them.
“This film exists because of the people who have visited, supported us and shared Volo Museum with generations of their families,” Grams said. “We wanted the first audience to include those people. With limited seating, a free sweepstakes felt like a fun and fitting way to give them that opportunity.”
Volo Museum has a long history of working with local businesses and organizations, and Wojdyla chose a venue with a personality as distinctive as the museum.
“We could have held the premiere in a conventional movie theater, but that didn’t feel very Volo,” Wojdyla said. “The Vixen is a former movie theater that was transformed into a live music and entertainment venue. It is unconventional, historic, local and full of personality, so it’s the perfect collaboration.”
Jeff Kleinschmidt, talent booker and business partner at The Vixen, added, “We have enjoyed a great partnership with Volo Museum for years. We’re excited to help celebrate a true local treasure in another local venue that has its own history of entertaining the community.”
Goldstein wanted the first screening to take place locally, surrounded by the friends, families and supporters who helped make Volo Museum’s story possible. A Chicago premiere is being planned, and Goldstein is in active communication with television networks and film festivals.
Watch the trailer and learn more: https://volofun.com/volo-film/
EVENT INFORMATION
What: World premiere of “Not What We Planned: The Volo Museum Story”
When: Thursday, August 27, 2026 | Doors open at 6 p.m. | Screening begins at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Vixen | 1208 N. Green Street | McHenry, IL 60050
Admission: Tickets will not be sold. Admission is limited to invited guests and online sweepstakes winners. Each winner will receive two tickets.
Enter the sweepstakes now: https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/cb3cb4-233516?framed=1
Sweepstakes winners announced: 3 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026
ABOUT VOLO MUSEUM – Volo Museum is a world-famous, family-owned tourist destination located at 27582 Volo Village Road in Volo, Illinois. What began in 1960 as a small family car business has grown into a collection of attractions celebrating automotive history, Hollywood, pop culture, military history, mechanical marvels and Americana. The destination also includes Jurassic Gardens, the Titanic Experience, the Military Combat Zone, the Rock-afire Explosion, a historic carousel, seasonal rides, shopping, dining and much more. Learn more at https://volofun.com.
ABOUT OAK HOLLOW STUDIOS – Oak Hollow Studios is a Los Angeles-based creative studio led by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Goldstein. Goldstein’s career spans more than four decades and includes documentary, television, film and music projects exploring the people, places and passions that shape American culture. www.oakhollowstudios.com