Teachers, we are now scheduling field trips for the 2025/2026 school year!
Welcome
The Collection on Palmetto
Museum of antique automobiles and
farm and field power.
Beauty, industry, and innovation realized.
About The Collection on Palmetto
Our Collection
At the Collection on Palmetto, we trace the evolution of the automobile from its inception. With a focus on American cars from the Brass Era, our succinct, chronological display illustrates the development of technologies, designs, and methods of production at the turn of the century in our country.
Expertly curated by our founders, the collection represents the fine workmanship, ingenuity, and fierce competition that was present among iconic American automobile manufacturers, as well as their lesser-known counterparts.
The social history of the automobile is revealed through large-scale print advertising reproductions, carefully selected artifacts, fashion, and literary material. An updated audio tour provides additional information about each and every automobile, with period-correct music selections and personal narratives told in the voices of our museum's founders, their friends and family, and board members.
The Collection on Palmetto is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to increase the awareness and understanding on the part of adults and children, of the amazing progress in factory power, field power, and automotive transportation, which occurred during the early part of the 20th century.
Live Steam action at Summer of Steam
The Passing of the Horse, by Stanley Wanlass
On Exhibit: Passing of the Horse, 1983
by Stanley Wanlass
An internationally known sculptor, designer, and painter, Stanley Wanlass' bronze monuments and memorials can be seen throughout the United States, including "End of the Trail," which honors the Lewis and Clark Expedition. His automotive bronzes are exhibited in prestigious museums and collections around the world.
Passing of the Horse, which celebrates the evolution of transportation, is part of an edition of thirty bronzes.
Wanlass' details evoke the thrill of motoring on the very cusp of change: An automobile races past a horse and rider. Motorists cling to their hats as the goggled driver leans in with determination. A dog tries to keep pace with the car to no avail, for the car moves quickly toward its destination. A boy and his friend look out over the horse and rider, who by now are becoming a distant memory. Picnic baskets on the sideboard appears to be fortified with celebratory food and drink.
DISCOVER THE AUTOMOBILES OF THE COLLECTION ON PALMETTO
1886 Benz Motorwagen, first modern car
1901 Curved Dash Olds, first mass-produced automobile
1902 Locomobile, early steam car
1904 Cadillac, early one-cylinder automobile
1904 Pope-Waverley, early electric
1906 Winton Model K, exemplary Brass touring car
1906 White steam car, on-demand steam
1907 Northern, horizontally-opposed engine
1908 Locomobile Model E, four speed transmission with chain drive
1908 Schacht high wheeler, Cincinnati, Ohio
1910 Stanley Model 70 steam car, "Little Green"
1910 Stanley Model 85, seven-passenger touring car
1911 White GE-75, quality touring car with newly developed shaft drive to rear end
1913 Stanley Model 64, fan favorite
1912 Model 73, freshly restored Stanley
1913 Cole Roadster, six-cylinder engine with dual ignition and electric lighting
1913 Pierce Arrow, high-end touring car
1914 Ford Model T, assembly line car with extremely high production numbers
1914 FIAT Tipo 55, historically important FIAT made in Poughkeepsie, NY.
1915 Peerless, one of the "Three Ps of American Motordom"
1915 Stanley Mountain Wagon, twelve-passenger steasm vehicle
1917 Dodge, steel body touring car and photo op car
1925 Stanley SV, condensing steam car
1927 Pierce Arrow Model 36, "Cupid"
1952 Allard J2X, British race car
1954 Jaguar XK120, six-cylinder, twin overhead cam sport car
1969 Jaguar XKE, naturally aspirated
2014 Lamborghini Aventador, 218 mph supercar
Museum Happenings
Museum Field Trips
Captain and Calypso
Captain and Calypso
We are now scheduling museum field trips for the 2025/2026 academic year! Contact us today for more information on how our planned experiences can inspire your future innovators!
Our standards-aligned content and activities will make it easy to plan a field trip that complements your curriculum and enriches learning. There are many dates available at this time, but don't delay!
We are pleased to report that we have recently improved our picnic area with brick pavers and additional picnic tables!
Captain and Calypso
Captain and Calypso
Captain and Calypso
Our Fall Speaker Series will kick off on Saturday, September 27th at 6:00 pm with a very special presentation by sailors Captain and Calypso (whom we at the museum affectionately call Jeff and Adrienne Cone, daughter and son-in-law of our museum founders).
In 2019, Captain and Calypso set off on a high seas adventure most can only dream about. Trading the creature comforts of home for a life afloat, and in the most captivating way throwing caution to the wind, Captain and Calypso high tailed it to the storied waters of the Carribean.
Rekindle your love for adventure this September 27th with Captain and Calypso, as they recount daring and exciting moments aboard their beloved vessel, SV Wind Therapy.
Check out their YouTube Channel at Sailing Wind Therapy!
Fall Festival
Captain and Calypso
Fall Festival
Be our guest at the museum on Sunday, October 26th...it's Fall Festival! Autumn fun begins at 11:00 am and continues throughout the day with train rides, engine demonstrations, and dozens of vintage cars to behold.
With complimentary museum admission, activities and games, and a bit of slightly spooky Halloween fun, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This is a free event with items for purchase such as kettle corn and lemonade. For questions about Fall Festival, please give us a call or email us.
See you at Fall Festival!
THE COLLECTION ON PALMETTO
Our Collection
Observe the beauty and power of early twentieth century automotive design and engineering. From the fist modern car, the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, to the 1952 Allard J2X, the British car with an American engine, we've got unique cars here. But vintage automobiles are just the beginning. Experience live steam and discover how our country steered bravely toward industry on the wheels of innovation.
Our Programs
Teachers, drive into a world of hands-on excitement with one of our education programs. Your students can build an electric circuit, race a solar-powered car, participate in an assembly line or ride on a 1/8th scale steam train. Programs meet Florida Standards in Science and Social Studies.
Our Mission
It is the mission of The Collection on Palmetto Foundation to increase understanding about the amazing progress made in engineering in factory and field power, along with automotive transportation, which occurred during the early 20th century.