In addition to gardening, one of my other loves is classic cars. On a recent visit to the Heritage museum I got a good dose of both.
The heritage museum, in Sandwich Massachusetts, was the original family farm of the Wing Family. They originally resided on the farm in 1677, and it was passed through generations of that family until it was sold to the Dexter family in 1921 when it was then known as Shawme Farm. Mr. Dexter was known for his hybridizing of plants and he was known for his work with rhododendrons. He worked with a Cambridge landscape architect named Paul Frost and together they turned the farm into a country estate. The estate was then purchased by the Lilly family to house many of their collections including art, firearms and automobiles. They introduced the round barn to house the automobile collection, the carousel pavilion, and three American Art galleries. The museum has more than 130,00 visitors each year and holds interesting exhibits for all likes and all ages.
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When I was there I had the opportunity to view the Museum’s permanent collection – the cars date back to the early 1900. What is interesting is the design and detail and the early innovation employed in the creation of these vehicles. These cars were highly detailed but in conventional ways using what was the latest technology that was available at the time. Truly innovative, where everything from a windshield to a door handle was a design element. Even cars that were powered by a steam generator engine such as 1909 White Steam Car Model M owned by President Taft and bearing the Presidential Seal on the door.
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The other interesting aspect was the cost as compare to the average annual household salary. For instance the 1927 Lincoln Sport touring sedan was at a cost of $4,600.00 ( not a lot of money by today’s standards ) but the average annual household income 1927 was $1,000.00.
Another example is the 1916 Brewster which was at a cost of $7,500.00 while the average annual income for that year was $708.00 with the gas price at $0.18 per gallon. It also featured rattan panel details on the doors and leather fenders.
The 1936 Cord 810 Webster employed some of the latest technology such as an all steel roof, integrated truck and with integrated rear fender skirts…
But one of my favorites was the 1932 Auburn Boattail Speedster convertible… truly beautiful in it’s design and detail..
The other features of the Heritage Museum are the extensive gardens and landscape. As a gardener and even though I was not there during the height of blooming season, walking through the landscape was beautiful and inspiring.
-Tom
