Our thoughts are with those affected by the storms. We will be closed Saturday Oct 12
Welcome
The Collection on Palmetto
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
The Collection on Palmetto welcomes fall
Fourth Annual Fall Festival
Each and every October we open the museum doors to the entire community with our FREE Fall Festival. If you've never been to the museum, or if you have visited numerous times, Fall Festival is your chance to be a part of something truly special in our community. Come find out why so many folks have referred to our museum as "a hidden gem."
We will kick off the fun at 11:00 am on Sunday, October 20th with the honorary blowing of our Nichols and Shepard steam whistle. From there we will have car and engine demonstrations, games and prizes, music, food trucks and a few surprises thrown in the mix, as well. The 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, a replica of the first modern car, will be out for a ride, as will the 1904 Pope Waverley electric car. And don't miss our slightly spooky train ride, popular with children of all ages, from 1-99! All of this set among a backdrop of pumpkins and hay- perfect for you fall photos. Plan on eating lunch here too: Mini Mouthfuls Donuts and One Up Burger Food Trucks will offer plenty of treats and zero tricks. Just juicy smash burgers and delectably topped donuts (and fresh squeezed lemonade).
Stop by for an hour or stay the whole day! You'll be glad you visited Fall Festival and we'll be glad to meet you! Happy Fall, Y'all!
Become a Member
As a member of The Collection on Palmetto, you will enjoy exclusive benefits and privileges, including admission for you and your guests, priority access to exhibitions and speaking engagements, and discounts at our gift shop.
Join our community of car and history lovers to support our museum programs.
Annual memberships are $50 for a limited time!
Fall is Right Around the Corner!
Fall Speaker Series
Fall Festival October 20th
Fall Festival October 20th
This fall, visit the museum after hours for our 2024 Fall Speaker Series: "Back by Popular Demand."
Your ticket includes admission to the museum, presentation, refreshments, and a return ticket to our wonderful museum of antique automobiles!
On Saturday, October 26 at 6:00 we welcome back author, pirate interpreter, and historian Robert Jacob, who will present, Blackbeard’s Hidden Treasure: The True Story of Blackbeard the Pirate with Surprising Theories of his Treasure.
Dress as a pirate for this pre-Halloween presentation!
Saturday, November 23 at 6:00, we welcome Marty and Marilou VanZanten. Marilou and Marty became interested in mechanical music and joined the Musical Box Society International in 1993. Since then, they have traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe viewing many museums and personal collections of mechanical musical instruments. They hope the sight and sounds of this marvelous, mechanical music will bring you as much pleasure as they personally have experienced over the past 30 years.
Simply give us a ring or drop us a line to let us know you are coming, so that we can reserve your seat.
Fall Festival October 20th
Fall Festival October 20th
Fall Festival October 20th
Our Fourth Annual Fall Festival is right around the corner! Join us for a day of family-friendly, autumn-themed fun with a few surprises, like our slightly spooky train ride and a new food truck that will serve classic smash burgers, burgers with heat, Elvis Burgers, chicken tenders and fries.
There will be demonstrations of the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen and Pope Waverley electric car. Plus, discover the Benoist, the aircraft used in the 1914 flight that made aviation history. Volunteer Ron will lead an informal discussion on the Benoist's flight across Tampa Bay. Ron is a master airplane mechanic and member of the Florida Aviation Historical Society.
Fall Festival is a free event with something fun for everyone in the family. We hope you will celebrate fall with us on Sunday, October 20!
Fall Museum Field Trips
Fall Museum Field Trips
Fall Museum Field Trips
Kick off the school year with a museum field trip that actively engages students and supports student academic success!
Email Laura: laura@collectiononpalmetto.com
At The Collection on Palmetto, students trace the evolution of the automobile and discover how innovation propelled our country forward into an era of tremendous growth socially, economically and technologically.
Field trips are aligned with state standards in all grade levels. Developmentally appropriate, engaging field trips take place in a cool and comfortable environment. Picnic tables are available for lunch.
We are happy to provide you with information about our Orange Belt Railway, engine displays, murals and hands-on activities so that you can see how our museum experiences will compliment your social studies, STEM, art and humanities, or ELA curriculum!
Car Show
Fall Museum Field Trips
Fall Museum Field Trips
We will be sponsoring the Knights of Columbus Seventh Annual Car Show this year, so come on out and say hello and see a whole bunch of classic cars!
The car show will take place on Saturday, November 2nd. The museum will be closed that day so we can drive on of our cars down to St. Catherine of Siena Church and spend the day with good friends, great cars, and community members from around Tampa Bay.
Have you visited the Gift Stop?
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
We have a selection of titles related to automobiles, courageous and innovative women, technology and science, design and art.
We love Motor Girls and Bertha Takes a Drive. We also have a new title featuring Madam Walker, and a comprehensive history on General Motors.
Vintage Car T-Shirts
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
Visit the Gift Stop for museum T-shirts offered in sizes small to XXL. One of our favorites is the Model 64 Stanley shirt with steam car lingo printed on the back. These soft cotton Ts make great gifts.
Check out our Collection on Palmetto stainless tumblers and ceramic mugs, too. Tumblers come with a reusable straw, and mugs are generously sized (enough to hold a can of soup).
Old-Fashioned Toys and Unique Gifts
Books for the Young and Young at Heart
Old-Fashioned Toys and Unique Gifts
We offer a nice assortment of toys for the younger visitors, including dominoes, slinkies, gliders, tops, Lego kits, wooden race car craft kits, and exotic Hot Wheels.
We have collectible pencil sharpeners with vintage themes and delicate, dangly, car-themed earrings, too!
Museum of Brass Era automobiles and factory and field power.
So many things to see and do.
Saunter down the unpaved streets of yesteryear at The Collection on Palmetto, where you can discover cars that were built at the dawn of the Automobile Age. Sit behind the wheel of a 1917 Dodge. Honk a bulb horn on a 1906 White Steam Car and blow a steam whistle atop an early traction engine.
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.