10 of the Most Interesting People Who Ride Harley-Davidsons in a Miniature Christmas Village

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"Harley-Davidson Manufacturing,"
#54948

The Harley-Davidson brand has come a long way from Milwaukee in 1903, when William Harley and Arthur Davidson decided to attach a motor to a bicycle.  By 2010 the company had revenues of $4.86 billion, and supports 1400 active clubs of around half a million Harley riders.  But that is only half the story, the business and financial part.  The other half the story is just as interesting. Harley-Davidson Manufacturing

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"Harley-Davidson Fat Boy and Softail"
#54900

The Harley-Davidson motorcycle has also become one of the most potent iconic images of the past half century.  For some lucky people, a Harley can conjure up some wonderful memories; for many of us, it is just a symbol imbued with strong feelings that are a part of our  culture.  When we see a Harley we feel a sense of strength, individuality, and freedom....a sense we will live forever.   Wind in my hair.  Endless road ahead.  No wonder we find Harley buildings in our Christmas village displays! Department 56 - Snow Village "Harley-davidson Fat Boy & Softail"

James Dean and Marilyn Monroe
in "Spellbound" by
Paul Gasenhemier,
http://www.best-motorcycle.com/posters/james-
dean-marilyn-monroe.shtm

This dream-like image of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe on a Harley sums up many of these feelings.  And when you think about it, it is not a feeling based on logic.  James Dean never even met Marilyn Monroe.  James Dean died very young in a crash, but not on a Harley. Marilyn Monroe also died young, and as Elton John sang, "(Her) candle burned out long before, (Her) legend ever did."  And, actually, the Harley's right side is shown in the picture, not the left, as it should. This is not reality.  This is iconic, and the Harley is absolutely necessary to the image.

So I have put together a list of the 10 most interesting people who have owned a Harley, based on their iconic strength, individuality, and adventure.  When you add Harley Christmas buildings and accessories to your miniature village, you can remember these images!

Brigitte Bardot,
Image from
bikematchmaking.com
(which I do not use.)

NUMBER 10:  Brigitte Bardot: Actress, vocalist, model, and animal activist.  Simon de Beauvoir, a French philosopher and intellectual, said that Brigitte Bardot was the first and most liberated woman of post-war France.  She was not only a star in 47 films and several theater productions, but recorded 80 songs.   Brigitte Bardot liked a Harley so much that she titled one of her first songs "Harley Davidson," and you can watch her sing it here, though you have to understand French, and you may be disappointed:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IOZ0NbrVs

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"Ready for the Road," #58907

To the left is a picture of how Brigitte Bardot would look if she wore pants when she rode a Harley. Department 56 Ready for the Road! Harley Davidson

Add caption

NUMBER 9:  Ann Richards: Prominent Democrat and former Treasurer and Governor of Texas.   For her 60th birthday, Ann Richards said in an interview that she wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle.  Well, Harley-Davidson heard about it, and shipped her one!  So when Texas Monthly wanted to do a cover story on her, the magazines's artistic director D. J. Stout came up with the idea of her on a Harley.  "I had an image in my head of Ann, the feisty grandmother governor, decked out in all-white leathers--to match her famous white bouffant hairdo--straddling a hog.  Ann Richards on a Harley seemed to me to be the perfect metaphor for capturing her salty wit and irreverent personality. It was an image that summed up all those things that people loved about her."

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"Harley-Davidson Water Tower,"
#54975
What a Texas water tower
might look like.
Original Snow Village Harley-Davidson Water Tower, 56.54975

Stout and Richards were unable to get a mutually convenient photo session, so she suggested Stout "photoshop" her head onto another person aboard the Harley. Stout did, and they shared many laughs over the picture.  http://observatory.designobserver.com/feature/remembering-ann-richards/4757/

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"Harley-Davidson Detailing, Parts, & Service,"
#59214

NUMBER 8: Jay Leno: Stand-up comedian, host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and automobile collector.  Jay Leno famously owns about 200 vehicles, including around 100 cars.  Much of his spare time is spent working with on mechanical issues and visiting other car collections, in addition to writing reviews of sports cars and humorous articles about all issues automotive.  He obviously buys parts from the Dept. 56 shop shown above. Dept 56 Harley Davidson Detailing Parts and Service

Jay Leno and the 2005 Harley auctioned
off to raise money for the Harley-Davidson Foundation Tsunami Relief Fund.
Image from www.cycleconnections.com.

Leno and Harley-Davidson teamed up to auction off a "hog" to raise money for Tsunami relief when the deadly waves hit Southeast Asia in 2005.  Harley-Davidson donated a white 2005 Road King, and Leno arranged to have 60 celebrities sign the bike.  Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Cosby, Kiefer Sutherland, and Donald Trump were among those on the star-studded list who participated.   The winning bidder was David P. Steiner, CEO of Waste Management, Inc., who paid $801,100 toward the relief effort.

Malcom Forbes's
Harley-Davidson Hot Air Balloon,
Forbes is in the gondola.
Image from www.corbisimages.com.

NUMBER 7: Malcom Forbes:  New Jersey State Senator, publisher of "Forbes Magazine," Faberge Egg collector.  Malcom Forbes was very wealthy when he became a motorcycle enthusiast later in life.  He founded a club called the Capitalist Tools, and hosted meetings and tours at his New Jersey estate.  He not only collected motorcycles, but was instrumental in the political maneuvering to pass legislation to allow motorcycles on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey. For all of this, in 1999 he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, OH.

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"A Harley-Davidson Holiday," #54898

Malcom Forbes gave Elizabeth Taylor a Harley called the Purple Passion, because he said it reminded him or her beautiful eyes.  And Elizabeth Taylor gave her husband Larry Fortensky a Harley in 1992 for Christmas!

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"Harley-Davidson City Dealership,
#59202

Elizabeth Taylor might have purchased the Harley-Davidson at the dealership on the left.

NUMBERS 5 and 6:  Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda:  Actors in "Easy Rider".  "Easy Rider" is an iconic movie about two bikers who travel through the south in the 1960's exploring the dark issues of this generation, drugs, alienation, intolerance, and violence.  The film won a host of awards and the accolades of an entire generation.  Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda not only assumed the lead roles, but they also wrote it the movie, conjunction with Terry Souther, and Fonda produced and Hopper directed.

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
"America's Finest," #58998

Harley-Davison frames and engines from four former police officer bikes were used to create the two bikes for the main characters, plus two back-ups.  Fonda and others designed and had the bikes "chopper-built" for the film.  One "Captain America" bike was demolished in the final scene.  It was later rebuilt and was sold at auction.  The other three bikes were stole and never recovered, though numerous replicas have been made. Department 56 Christmas in the City America's Finest 58998

"Easy Rider" is 88th on the list of the American Film Institute's List of 100 Years, 100 Movies.  In 1998 it was added to the US National Film Registry, having been designated as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Arnold Schwarzenegger,
"Terminator 2:  Judgement Day,"
Image from www.starcarstn.com/T2_Harley.html

NUMBER 4:  Arnold Schwarzenegger: Body builder, actor, Governor of California.
In the hit movie, "Terminator 2: Judgment Day,"  released by Tri Star Pictures in 1991, the Governator rode a Harley-Davidson Softail Fatboy.  Schwarzenegger plays a Terminator, a liquid metal shape-shifting T-1000 who defends humans in their attempt to prevent Judgement Day, when machines would begin to exterminate humanity.  The film's visual effects, using computer-generated imagery, were very influential, and the movie won four Academy awards for technical feats.  At the time, it was the most expensive movie ever made, but it also became the highest-grossing film of 1991.  After the filming, Mario Kassar, the producer, kept the Terminator's bike in his personal collection, until he sold it to a private collector, who held it until it came into the collection of the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. http://www.starcarstn.com/T2_Harley.html

Dept. 56, Christmas in the City,
1930 Harley-Davidon VL W/Sidecar,"
#59409

Fifteen years later Schwarzenegger was involved in a minor accident in his sidecar-equipped Harley, and was facing a citation for driving without a valid motorcycle license. Fortunately for him, a loophole in California law allowed riders of a sidecar-equipped bike to have a valid car license, which Schwarzenegger did.

Elvis Presley on his
Harley-Davidson.
Image from
http://photos.elvispresley.com.au/1950s_2.html 

NUMBER 3: Elvis Presley: Singer and Actor. If you want to know how much Elvis loved Harleys, consider this: To commemorate what would have been Elvis' 75th birthday, the Harley-Davidson Museum mounted a special exhibit!  Paraphernalia in the show included one of his bikes, a bill of sale, registration papers, insurance application, and a number of historic photos loaned from Graceland Museum.  http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/harleymuseumelvisexhibit.html

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Shop,"
#54886

Elvis loved flashy costumes, Gibson guitars, and Harleys.  He bought his first hog in the 1950, before he even signed his first record deal.  Just after he turned 21, and just days after recording "Hearbreak Hotel," his first hit, he bought a KH Harley.  Harley-Davidson Museum employee Jim Fricke has said that he has seen photographs of Elvis on 8-10 different bikes.Dept 56 Harley Davidson Motorcycle Shop

Elvis rode Harleys in several films, including "Roustabout," a 1964 film in which he plays Charlie, a rider who sings at whopping malls, and takes a part-time carnival job to pay for repairs of his bike.  Presley also appeared on a Harley in "Viva Las Vegas," Clambake, and "Stay Away Joe." http://onmilwaukee.com/music/articles/harleymuseumelvisexhibit.html

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"Patrolling the Road,"
#54971

NUMBER 2:  All Public Safety Officers .   In Detroit in 1908 Harley-Davidson sold the first motorcycle to a police force for metropolitan use.  By the 1920's, over 3000 police departments and agencies used the Hog.  The tradition continues today.  In 2010, according to the Harley Davidson representative I spoke with, the company sold approximately 2700 hogs to police and other public service departments worldwide.  In fact, the Los Angeles Police Department has 400 HD motorcycle units, Rio de Janeiro has 46, and Milwaukee has 57. Dept 56 Patrolling the Road Harley Davidson

"The Warning," by Eric Richards.
Image from
www.motofoto.cc/Police_Motorcycles.htm

This monument, "The Warning" by Eric Richards, commemorates the heroism of two police officers, Thornton Edwards (on the left on an Indian) and Stanley Baker (on the right on a Harley.)  The two were on duty on March 12, 1928 during the second worst disaster in the State of California's history.  The St. Francis Dam, 36 miles upstream from Santa Clarita, collapsed around midnight, releasing 52 billion gallons of water.

Dept. 56, Snow Village,
"A New HarleyDavidson,"
#4020224

For three hours Thornton and Baker rode through the town of Santa Paula, which was on the path of the flood, notifying and evacuating residents. Though 470 people died in the disaster, because of the heroic actions of Edwards and Baker, few of the victims were from Santa Paula.  These are just two of Many officers mounted on motorcycles that have rendered profound service to our communities. The Original Snow Village from Department 56 A New ?56 Harley-Davidson® KH  http://www.motofoto.cc/Police_Motorcycles.htm

NUMBER 1--THE MOST ICONIC USER OF A HARLEY-DAVIDSON:

SANTA CLAUS

Dept. 56, North Pole, "A Happy Harley Day," #56706

Department 56 Williamsburg Village: Bruton Parish Church, Tarpley's Store, and Taliaferro-Cole Shop and House

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Tarpley's Store Shoppers,"
#4020960

Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg:  President Franklin Roosevelt called the Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg the "most historic avenue in all America."  It runs from the College of William and Mary on the west to the Capitol on the east.  But it wasn't always that way.  I wonder if its 1699 namesake, his Highness William Duke of Gloucester, would have been gratified if he knew the "street" named for him was nothing more than a narrow horse path that meandered along a ridge separating the James and York Rivers, then rolled through swampy ravines, and obstructed by occasional houses.  High honor, indeed. (1)  Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Tarpley?s Store Shoppers

Dept. 56, Williamsburg,
"Charlton's Morning Shipment,"
#4023621

The street remained so for centuries, hilly, irregular, a dust cloud in the dry months, a muddy slough in wet.  Despite this, the town fathers, from the very beginning, set up building codes to create a formal commercial area.  In front of shops and inns passed men and women in wagons, oxcarts, stages, and on horseback, dodging sheep, chickens, children, merchants, and wide-eyed visitors from the country, all coming to do business in Virginia's wealthy colonial capital.

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Bruton Parish Church,"
#4018968

Bruton Parish Church by Department 56 One of the anchor buildings on Duke of Gloucester  St. was Bruton Parish Church, built in 1715 and frequented by great men of American history: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and George Mason.  No Williamsburg Christmas miniature village is complete without Bruton Parish.  Like the city it served, Bruton Parish supported the patriots' cause.  In 1765 the passage of the Stamp Act was motivation for a special service at the church, where the Burgesses expressed their outrage. Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Lit House, Bruton Parish Church

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Going to Church,"
#4018971

Another Virginia protest was elicited when England closed the port of Boston after the Boston Tea Party.  This time, the Burgesses marched in solemn procession to the church for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer. Bruton Parish's Rev. Gwatkin was asked to give a sermon for the occasion, but the good rector was tutor to British Lord Dunmore's eldest son, and his sympathy lay with the mother country.  Citing a "disorder in his Breast," Rev. Gwatkin declined to deliver the sermon.  George Washington, a member of the House of Burgesses, wrote in his diary of this occasion, "Went to Church & fasted all day." (2) The patriotic fervor was so high that the tradition prayer for the King, printed in the lectern prayer book in Bruton Church, was crossed out, and a prayer for the President of the United States substituted! (3)Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Figurine, Going to ChurchDepartment 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Figurine

Bruton Parish Church,
Williamsburg, Va.
Contemporary view, from
www.history.org

Of course, Bruton Church has its share of lamentable history, which provides a window on 18th century American culture and economics.  For example, in the early 18th century, the Virginia General Assembly approved renovation of the church, and noted it should be financed from taxes on liquor and slaves.  The social order was further explained in a vestry book entry in 1716, which stated, "Ordered that the Men sitt on the north side of the church, and the women on the left."  Always good to keep in mind how far we've come....(4)

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Caroling in Williamsburg,"
#4018972
Another light note from Bruton Parish Church

On a lighter note, one of the church organists was Peter Pelham, the Gaolkeeper, or jailer, for Williamsburg.  When Mr. Pelham played the organ for services, he brought with him one of the prisoners from the Gaol, to pump air for the instrument!  By the way, James Tarpley, of Tarpley's Store, discussed below, donated a church bell, which resides there still. (5)Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Figurine, Caroling in Williamsburg

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Tarpley's Store,
#4021334

Tarpley's Store by Department 56:  Tarpley's Store, well-situated right on the Duke of Gloucester Street, was described in 18th century city records as "commodius and well-situated"  Over time Tarpley's store became a watch and clock-maker's store, then a printing shop for the Virginia Gazette, which also sold books and stationary. Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Tarpley?s Store

Tarpley's Store, Williamsburg, Va.
Contemporary View.  Image by
Will Lyster for Google Earth.

Records confirm that the store was built on a brick foundation, had dormer windows, and was used as both a store and residence.  Products imported from England would have included earthenware, glass, skillets, silverware, soap, coffee, tools, and fabrics. (6)

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Taliaferro-Cole Shop,"
4018970

Taliaferro Shop and Taliaferro House by Department 56 : It is hard to image a complete Williamsburg Christmas Village display without the Taliaferro Shop and House.  Taliaferro was a well-known name in the 18th century Virginia Tidewater.  In Williamsburg, Charles Taliaferro was first a chairmaker who advertised thus in the Virginia Gazette, "...where those Gentlemen who please to favour me with their custom may depend on having their work done on the most reasonable terms, expeditiously, and warranted to be good." (7) Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Lit House, Taliaferro-Cole Shop

Dept. 56, Williamsburg,
"Carter Coach," #4018973

Later, Mr. Taliaferro became a well-known carriage maker.  One ads claims he will sell, for cash only, "...a variety of materials proper for coach and chair makers...also oil, paint, and gold leaf, fit for lining or drawing...By next spring he expects to have finished a few light POST CHARIOTS, which he will sell cheaper than any can be imported from Britain."  Taliaferro appeared to be a true entrepreneur.  He also ran a brewery, a warehouse, and a boat making business.  Apparently successful, he owned up to 14 lots at a time in Williamsburg, and about 160 acres in the country.Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Figurine, Carter Coach

Dept. 56, Williamsburg Village,
"Taliaferro-Cole House,"
#4018969

In 1804 the Taliaferro shop and house came into the possession of Jesse Cole, who also sold chairs, coaches, harnesses, and boats.  Cole followed in the footsteps of his entrepreneurial predecessor, Charles Taliaferro. He not only was a merchant, but an apothecary, doctor, post master, and owned a boardinghouse for college students.  Here is how his shop was described in 1827:  

"It is a Book Seller's store in which you will find hams and French brandy; it is an apothecary's shop in which you can provide yourself with black silk stockings and shell of oysters; it is a post office in which you may have glisters, chewing tobacco & in a word it is a museum of natural history in which we meet every afternoon to dispute about the Presidential election, and about the quality of the Irish potatoes..." By the way, I looked up the definition of "glister"......uhm, in colonial America that was an enema.....I hope this is still rated  PG! (8)Department 56 Colonial Williamsburg Village Lit House, Taliaferro-Cole House

References:
(1) http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbduke.cfm
(2) http://research.history.org/pf/declaring/dayOfFasting.cfm
(3) http://books.google.com/books?id=iSoTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=bruton+church+prayer+for+President&source=bl&ots=HEjHxpZssf&sig=iffr8BNfbf6inV7LOYlrc6BmmrY&hl=en&ei=fu0VTo7aJqeEsgKmzo0x&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=bruton%20church%20prayer%20for%20President&f=false
(4) http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbduke.cfm
(5) http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbduke.cfm
(6) http://books.google.com/books?id=iSoTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=bruton+church+prayer+for+President&source=bl&ots=HEjHxpZssf&sig=iffr8BNfbf6inV7LOYlrc6BmmrY&hl=en&ei=fu0VTo7aJqeEsgKmzo0x&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=bruton%20church%20prayer%20for%20President&f=fals
(7) http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/View/index.cfm?doc=ResearchReports%5CRR1283.xml
(8) http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/View/index.cfm?doc=ResearchReports%5CRR1283.xml