We are open this Saturday, September 7th
Welcome
The Collection on Palmetto
Museum of antique automobiles and engines. Beauty and innovation realized.
The Collection on Palmetto Presents our Annual Fall Festival
Save the Date!
It's our way of saying "Thanks" to the entire community! The museum will be open to everyone and there will be car demonstrations and farm engine demonstrations. Plus, food trucks!!
The Collection on Palmetto Summer Experiences
Summer of Steam
This summer we kicked off a new program we like to call, "Summer of Steam." Visitors experienced transportation history firsthand with interactive steam car experiences, steam train rides, and steam engine demonstrations. Marvin and Tim did quite a few laps around the block in the steam car, and Linda and Spooky helped visitors get to know our collection inside the museum. Alan and Marty were our train engineers for the day, and they did stay busy!
If you missed Summer of Steam, no worries! We will have many more opportunities to enjoy the wonders of steam. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy these photographs, taken by award-winning photographer, David Witty. Pictured above, our 1910 Stanley Model 70, "Little Green."
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 (four visitors total), 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 still $50!
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."
This fall, our speaker series will feature two popular presenters we've had in the past: Luis Vireilha and Robert Jacob. If you missed either of these presenters, now is your chance to attend their presentation and pick up (or download) a copy of their latest books. Your ticket includes admission to the museum, presentation, refreshments, and a return ticket to our wonderful museum of antique automobiles!
We hope you will join us as we welcome back retired commercial airline pilot Captain Luis Vireilha on Saturday, September 28 at 6:00. Captain Vireilha will deliver a fascinating presentation related to his new book.
Then, on October 26 at 6:00, we welcome back author, pirate 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!
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 features smashburgers!
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.