NY Times: Auto Museums in New England/Canada

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Source: New York Times

February 20, 2008
Auto Museums in New England and Eastern Canada

By MICHELLE KREBS
AUTUMN'S approach spurs enthusiasts to think about parking their collector cars for the season and finding other diversions of an automotive nature. One option might be driving to an automotive museum, viewing fall colors along the way. Here is a list of museums in New England and eastern Canada offering all manner of vehicle exhibits.

Maine

BOOTHBAY RAILWAY VILLAGE About 50 antique cars dating from 1907 to 1949 are among exhibits on railroading and New England village life. Open daily mid-June to Mid-October. Admission fee. 586 Wicasset Road, Boothbay, Me. 04537. (207) 633-4727. Boothbay Railway Village Home Page

COLE LAND TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM A large display of snow removal equipment and 10 fire trucks, from a 1910 hand tub to a 1948 Ahrens Fox. Open daily May 1 through Nov. 11 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee. 405 Perry Road, Bangor, Me. 04401. (207) 990-3600. Cole Land Transportation Museum Bangor Maine

OWLS HEAD TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM Among 50 automobiles spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries are a 1902 Curved Dash Olds, 1903 Mercedes Simplex Tourer and a 1935 Stout Scarab, often considered the first minivan prototype. Open daily. Admission fee. Route 73, Owls Head, Me. 04854. (207) 594-4418. Welcome to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, Celebrating Transportation History for 30 Years

SEAL COVE AUTO MUSEUM One of the better collections of antique “brass era” cars in the world with more than 100 vehicles, including a 1907 Chadwick and 30 antique motorcycles. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1 through Sept. 15. Admission fee. Route 102, Pretty Marsh Road, Camden, Me. 04843. (207) 244-9242. Seal Cove Auto Museum homepage

THE STANLEY MUSEUM Stanley Steamer cars built in 1903, 1905, 1910 and 1916 are on display along with exhibits commemorating Stanley family accomplishments. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. June through October and Tuesday to Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., November through May. 40 School St., Kingfield, Me. 04947. (207) 265-2729. Stanley Museum, Kingfield, Maine and Estes Park, Colorado - Home Page

WELLS AUTO MUSEUM The personal collection of the late Glenn Gould, a salesman who bought and restored cars. On display are about 80 cars, including Stanley Steamers and a 1941 Packard 160 convertible as well as motorcycles and antique arcade games. Open daily from Labor Day to Columbus Day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call first. Admission fee. 1181 Post Road, Wells, Me. 04090. (207) 646-9064.

Massachusetts

WALKER TRANSPORTATION COLLECTION, BEVERLY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM The private collection of Laurence Breed Walker, a Massachusetts minister, historian and public speaker, focuses on the ways people and goods were transported in New England from the days of trolley cars to automobiles. Wednesday 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. or by appointment. 117 Cabot St., Beverly, Mass. 01915. (978) 922-1186. The Walker Transportation Collection - trains, trolleys, trucks, buses, autos, ships, planes

HERITAGE MUSEUMS AND GARDENS In the oldest town on Cape Cod, the private automobile collection of Josiah K. Lilly III is housed in a replica of a Shaker round barn. On display are a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster once owned by the actor Gary Cooper; a 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Pall Mall Phaeton built in Springfield, Mass.; and the 1909 White Steam Car Model M, one of the first official cars of the White House. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1 to Oct. 31. Admission fee. 67 Grove St., Sandwich, Mass. 02563. (508) 888-3300. Heritage Museum & Gardens Celebrating the American Spirit

LARZ ANDERSON AUTO MUSEUM, MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION Ambassador Larz Anderson, who made his fortune in shipping and transportation, and his socialite wife, Isabel Weld Perkins, bought at least 32 new carriages and cars from 1899 to 1948, many of which are in the collection. Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee. 15 Newton St., Brookline, Mass. 02146. (617) 522-6547. Larz Anderson Auto Museum - Home

New Hampshire

CROSSROADS OF AMERICA MUSEUM A transportation museum featuring models of cars, trucks, trains, ships and planes as well as more than 40 antique outboard motors. Open June through October; call for hours. Admission fee. 6 Trudeau Road, Bethlehem, N.H. 03579. (603) 869-3919.

Rhode Island

PRONYNE MOTOR SPORTS MUSEUM A collection of antique racecars housed in a former baked goods factory. Call for hours. 8 Cleveland St., Pawtucket, R.I. 02862. (401) 447-4202. PRONYNE MOTOR SPORTS, Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Eastern Canada

SPOKE WHEEL CAR MUSEUM About 30 cars dating from 1916 to the 1960’s including several Model A’s. By appointment only. Donation requested. Route 2 East, Dunstaffnage, New Brunswick. (902) 629-1796.

FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM Vintage equipment including pumpers, hose wagons and ladder trucks and even an 1863 Amoskeag Steamer. Open daily in July and August; Monday through Saturday the rest of the year. Admission fee. 451 Main St., Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. (902) 742-5525. museum.gov.ns.ca/fm

MUSÉE GILLES VILLENEUVE A recreated racing pit in a museum dedicated to racing and the memory of Gilles Villeneuve, the Canadian Formula One driver who died in 1982. There is a virtual-reality racing simulator along with videos of Formula One racing. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee. 960 Avenue Gilles-Villeneuve, Berthierville, Quebec. (800) 639-0103. http://www.museegillesvilleneuve.com

MUSÉE ANTIQUE VICTOR BÉLANGER Among a campus of attractions, 32 antique cars and trucks. Open daily May 15 to Sept. 15 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; by reservation the rest of the year. Admission fee. 1080 Route Kennedy, Saint-Côme-Linière, Beauce, Quebec. (418) 685-2302. Musée Victor Bélanger autos voitures jouet village antique collections

ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM In New Brunswick, a showcase of antique automobiles and other transportation equipment. Open daily June 8 to Sept. 13 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission fee. 35 Principale St., Saint-Jacques, New Brunswick. (506) 735-2637. tourismnewbrunswick.ca