The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles celebrated the official opening of its newest exhibit space, formally dubbed the Carriage Barn. This gallery features unique examples of horse-drawn vehicles, many of which have never been on display at the Museum.
“We’re hoping the new gallery provides the museum with the space to properly display some fantastic horse-drawn vehicle examples not built in Boyertown and visitors with the opportunity to learn about the history of these important pieces,” said Michaela Zaborowski, community engagement coordinator for the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.
The display includes a durable Skeleton Break used to break, train, and exercise carriage horses; a Hansom Cab which is a closed carriage referred to as the most popular cab in London; and a Bavarian State Coach used to convey royalty or high officials during official business.
Also on display in the gallery is the museum’s Two Horse Hearse, which has been moved from the museum’s main floor to a place of prominence in the Carriage Barn.
About 50 people came out for the opening reception held on Saturday, Dec. 16.
“The room was well-received, with visitors choosing different favorites and commenting on the quality and beauty of the woodwork and craftsmanship of the gallery itself,” said Zaborowski.
In addition, Zaborowski heard what she called “fantastic feedback” about the Hansom Cab, the Rockaway, and the Bavarian State Coach.
“We’re hoping visitors leave with a better understanding of what travel was like when horse-drawn sleighs and carriages were the main modes of transportation and how these artifacts were used in daily life,” said Zaborowski.
During the opening reception, visitors also had full access to the museum’s historic collection. Docents were on hand to answer questions about the vehicles and provide insight into the rare horse-drawn examples on display.
Live blacksmithing demonstrations were also held in the original Jeremiah Swinehart Carriage Factory, which is part of the museum’s galleries and is open to the public daily.
The Museum would like to thank the following for their donations and loans to the exhibit, as well as its volunteers and staff: Gene Epstein, Merritt’s Antiques, Dan Mosser, Doc Patt, Mike Patterson, Tobey Ross and Robin Rothe.
“This project was all hands on deck!” said Zaborowski.
A 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by Paul and Erminie Hafer, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles preserves and displays examples of Pennsylvania’s road transportation history in the former factory buildings of the Boyertown Auto Body Works. More than 90 locally manufactured cars, trucks, carriages, bicycles, and motorcycles are on display, as well as two examples of roadside architecture — a 1921 cottage-style Sunoco gas station and a 1938 Jerry O’Mahony diner.
“Over the past several years the Boyertown Museum has worked hard to improve its facilities — inside and out — to both enhance the visitor experience and better protect the cherished pieces of transportation history on display. The Carriage Barn is the newest upgrade to the museum’s facilities,” stated the Museum in the release.
Located at 85 South Walnut Street in Boyertown, the museum is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and AAA members, and ages 15 & under are free.
For more information, call 610-367-2090 or visit www.boyertownmuseum.org.
Source: Berkshire mont