The museum will be Closed Saturday, May 24th.

Welcome
The Collection on Palmetto
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
The museum will be Closed Saturday, May 24th.
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
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.
We hope that you enjoy your long weekend with friends and family as we take time to acknowledge the sacrifice of our brave veterans.
Saturday, August 23rd
Saturday, August 30th
Friday, December 5th
On Exhibit: Passing of the Horse, 1983
by Stanley Wanlass (1941-)
An internationally known sculptor, designer, and painter, Stanley Wanlass has created bronze monuments in the United States such as the Lewis and Clark monuments in Oregon and Washington.
An automobile collector, restorer, and racer since the 1950s, Wanlass is famous for his automotive bronzes. His work is exhibited in prestigious museums and collections around the world.
Passing of the Horse celebrates the evolution of transportation, and Wanlass' details evoke the thrill of motoring on the very cusp of change.
The details: An automobile races past a horse and rider. As it does, the motorists cling to their hats and 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. A picnic basket on the sideboard appears to be fortified with celebratory food and drink.
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
Kick off summer at the museum with our returning program, Summer of Steam! On select Saturdays beginning May Saturday, May 31st and continuing monthly throughout the summer, The Collection on Palmetto will again offer interactive live steam demonstrations and special information sessions related to steam power at the turn of the century.
During Summer of Steam, you can watch us steam up the 1910 Stanley Model 70 or ride the miniature train around the museum past Turtle Lake and through the forest (watch out for the Yeti). All of this fun is included with your museum admission.
Summer of Steam Saturdays: May 31, June 21st, July 19th, August 16th
Add a fun and interactive planned experience with a museum field trip that actively engages students and supports student academic success!
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!
We offer a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages, including guided tours of our museum, automobile-related workshops, school field trips, and occasional presentations. Our goal is to engage and inspire around topics of American innovation and ingenuity, and to provide information on topics that are of interest to museum visitors.
Would you like to receive a monthly newsletter with information about our museum mission, programs, and events? If so, please sign up here!
Our admission prices have been updated. We hope that you will be pleased with the value and experience our museum offers, and we thank you for your understanding.
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.
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.