From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America

Location: J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery
Open For Viewing: April 20th – October 20th, 2024

In From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, we present the origin story of the American automobile through 26 cars from Heritage’s permanent collection. How did the car emerge as a transformative cultural force of the twentieth century? What were early automobiles like? Why did gasoline become the fuel of choice? What ever happened to steam engines? How did the car change the daily lives of ordinary families? How much was a luxury car in the 1930s? Learn the answers to these questions and more. Come along for a ride from the late 1800s to the 1960s and watch the car evolve from a horseless carriage to a streamlined symbol of freedom and independence.

2024 Cars Exhibit
Recent Automobile News & Blogs

Virtual Visit Old Colony History Museum

May 10th, 2022|

Old Colony History Museum Virtual Visit: Heritage Museums & Gardens Heritage Museums & Gardens was delighted to be featured on Old Colony History Museum's Virtual Visits program on Friday, May 6! This live Zoom [...]

  • Heritage Auto Garage

Reactivating Centuries Old Automobiles

July 6th, 2021|

1925 FRANKLIN SPORT RUNABOUT AND 1910 SEARS SURREY AUTO REACTIVATION One of the unique challenges that comes with curating a collection of antique automobiles is the question of driving the cars. Do you [...]

Driven: Hidden away in Cape Cod’s Heritage Museums and Gardens

April 22nd, 2021|

Hidden away in Cape Cod’s Heritage Museums and Gardens, a collection of cars traces the history of American automotive innovation, design, and aesthetics. We got a tour when Tom Gregory visited the museum as the host of Driven. [...]