Jean is the granddaughter of Walter Davidson, one of the four founders and the first president
of Harley-Davidson. Her father, Gordon Davidson, was Vice President of Manufacturing.
Jean began riding a Harley at the age of 12. She was the owner of the largest Harley Davidson dealership
in Wisconsin and rubbed shoulders with all the Harley and Davidson family members, famous racers, Hell's Angels and even
Evil Knievel.
She is the mother of five children and the grandmother of seven grandchildren. She has spent a number of years
gathering personal family stories and old photographs to bring you a rare and exciting look into one of the most famous families
in motorcycling history.
Most of all Jean is a storyteller who loves sharing the stories and experiences of her life as a Davidson
through books and public speaking engagements. The adventures she has experienced, both in and out of the motorcycling industry,
coupled with her enthusiastic, outgoing personality have captivated thousands of people over the years.
We would like to invite everyone to join us in the Hudson Valley Chapter's celebration of the 100th anniversary
of Walter Davidson Sr.'s formal visit to the Hudson Valley, June 1908, for his participation in the national FAM endurance
run. "A brief history"
The Federation of American Motorcyclists was a forerunner to the AMA today. I also need to mention that
Walter Davidson Sr., was one on the then very young motor company founders! The national 1908 endurance run actually began
here on Main Street Catskill, N.Y.; covered a good section over the Catskill Mountains down into Kingston then Newburgh hence
covering the Hudson Valley South into Brooklyn to finish out on Long Island, N.Y. The sixty three entrants of various US motorcycle
manufacturers were all expected to cover a course of 356 miles total. Keep in mine that our roads in the Hudson Valley of
1908 were rough, rocky and at times covered in mud, very severe condition to say the least. A course a few could reasonably
hope to complete. Truely an endurance run on these early machines. Our own Hudson Valley member, Tom Svack, Big Jim Mc Cauley
and Rod Pink, all professional AMA enduro riders can definitely bring you up to speed on such a test of man and machine! As
most of you are now aware Walter Davidson Sr.'s granddaughter, Jean Davidson will attend our Rhinebeck National to take part
in our program there. Jean will speak at our banquet, offer her book signing, also promoting her children's safety program
,Yell and Tell. Jean has also agreed to come early and attend our road run to take part in our formal 100th anniversary celebration
event to be held in Catskill, N.Y., Wednesday afternoon, June 11th; opening ceremony 4:00pm ending at 6:00pm. We are currently
working out a designated arrival and set up time for our road run to climax in Catskill prior to the event. Due to anticipated
crowds of spectators and participates, the overall plan of action is to close down Main St. for our event and ceremony on
the actual site of the 1908 photograph of Walter Sr. now 100 years later his granddaughter, Jean at the same location. Needless
to say the excitement is already brewing here with the Catskill Village officials helping us every way possible. This should
prove to be a road run AMCA members will remember and talk about for sometime to come. Any updates and additional imformation
will immediately be posted on our Hudson Valley web site :www.hudsonvalleychapter.com, as well as our roadrun chairman, Steve Barbers web site www.the74shop.com
Jean Davidson will be our guest speaker at the Banquet Saturday night and will be available for book sales
and signing throughout the weekend.
