The museum is open this Saturday!
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Welcome
The Collection on Palmetto
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
The museum is open this Saturday!
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
1886 Benz Motorwagen, first modern car
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!
Join us Saturday, August 24th for Summer of Steam!
Stop by the museum to learn more about steam power in the early 1900s. Your museum admission includes steam engine demonstrations, train museum admission, a train ride, personal stories audio tour, and so much more. Plus, you'll get insider knowledge about steam--the once-preferred method of automobile, boat, and train propulsion, with live steam demonstrations throughout the day!
What happened to steam automobiles? How long does it take to start a steam car? Did steam cars catch fire very often? Did they explode? What kind of fuel was used? What kind of mileage did steam cars get? All of your steam car questions will be answered, and you will become a celebrated expert on steam technology among your cronies.
Don't miss Summer of Steam, Saturday, August 24th, only at The Collection on Palmetto!
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the most popular car in the world, the Ford Model T? At one time, half of all cars on the road were Model T Fords. It's no wonder, because Henry Ford made over 15,000,000 of these little Tin Lizzies. They were reliable, economical and fun to drive.
Visit the museum on Saturday, August 10th at 12:00 as Suncoast Model T Club President Ben Umberger leads a demonstration and training session for members. You are welcome to listen in and learn even more about Henry Ford's claim to fame, the Model T, available to customers in any color at all. . .as long as it was black!
Teachers, please be our guest at the museum this summer! Simply present your school ID at the reception area and you will receive complimentary admission. We value and esteem educators, and we would like to say "thank you" for all that you do!
This week concludes our complimentary teacher admission program. We hope that you will stop by the museum for a special tour that includes an explanation of our standards-aligned programs.
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!
Sign up to hear from us about special events, Steaming-Up Days, and other happenings at The Collection on Palmetto!
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.
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).
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!
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.
Enhance your museum experience with our personal stories audio tour, accessible with your smartphone!
Children under 6 receive complimentary admission. Please see group admission section for field trip pricing (regardless of age).
Docent-led tour, engine demonstration, train ride, picnic tables, activity. Activities with take-home projects cost an additional $5.
Docent-led tour, engine demonstration, train ride, picnic tables, activity. Activities with take-home projects cost an additional $5.
Docent-led tour, engine demonstration, train ride, picnic tables, activity. Activities with take-home projects cost an additional $5.
Docent-led tour and engine demonstration. Train ride upon request.
Docent-led tour and engine demonstration. Train ride upon request.
Line up your cars along the drive for a meeting place that is truly unique
Unique opportunities for your group including cars, flora and fauna.
Calling all artists: Bring your art supplies for a plein-air experience unlike others.
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Mon | Closed | |
Tue | 10:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Wed | 10:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Thu | 10:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Fri | 10:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Sat | 10:00 am – 03:00 pm | |
Sun | Closed |
Automobiles and Stationary Engines
Travel through time to a place where automobiles saw their beginnings; a place where steam, gas and electric cars volleyed for standing in the great American race toward power and independence.
They powered our country in factories and fields, across a land where burgeoning industry sought affirmation in pistons and flywheels and valves; machines eager to work in unison toward a better tomorrow.
Experience our very own 1/8th scale railway, only at The Collection on Palmetto.
Enjoy five acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, a turtle-filled lake and picnic tables. Diverse bird and vegetation species abound.
Your STEM and Social Studies Destination
Explore programs that meet STEM Standards. Future innovators realize their visions in a state of the art learning lab with hands-on activities and space to create.
Ride the rails of the Orange Belt Railway and make a car on an assembly line. Fieldtrips meet Florida Social Studies standards, as well as kids' standards for fun.
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.
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.
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.