Car and Carriage Museum

After the turn of the 20th century, the development of the automobile profoundly changed American life. In the Car and Carriage Museum, visitors can travel back to the time of carriages, see some of the first horseless carriages to have an impact on Pittsburgh and learn about Pittsburgh's role in the developing automobile industry..

The original "carriage house" portion of the Car and Carriage Museum was used to store the collection of carriages and antique cars that Helen Clay Frick brought to Pittsburgh. The building was expanded in 1997 to accommodate the addition of automobiles from the collection of G. Whitney Snyder (1921-1999).

Henry Clay Frick’s 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost touring car and Howard Heinz’s 1898 Panhard (reputed to be the first car in Pittsburgh) are both on view, along with more than 20 vintage automobiles that illustrate the story of Pittsburgh’s place in automotive history.

An award-winning video, Pittsburgh and the Automobile, alternates throughout the day with a short film, The Stanley Steamer. Through archival film, original footage and interviews, visitors are taken on a humorous and fascinating ride through the early years of automotive history.

Some of the cars and carriages on view include:

c. 1882 Brougham c. 1897 Pony-size Spider Phaeton 1898 Panhard et Levassor Tonneau 1903 Baker Electric Stanhope c. 1903 Country Omnibus 1906 Outing Wagon 1909 Bailey Electric Phaeton 1909 Keystone Six-Sixty Roadster

1911 Penn 30 Touring Car 1912 Daimler Laundaulette 1914 Ford Model T Touring Car 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Touring Car 1917 Standard Model E Touring Car 1924 Auto Red Bug Flyer 1931 Lincoln Model K Sport Phaeton 1940 American Bantam Convertible Coupe

Featured Automobile One in an ongoing series of featured automobiles from the Frick's permanent collection. 1910 Brush Model D Runabout Frick Art & Historical Center, 1999.1.6 Engineer Alanson P. Brush (1878–1952) made many contributions to the early Detroit auto industry, but he is often remembered for the durable, lightweight car he began producing in 1907. Brush Runabouts were successful for a number of years, due in large part to their relatively affordable price. This 1910 Model D Runabout illustrates the Brush’s unique coil spring suspension system, which provided a smoother ride. The coil springs were made by the Spring Works of the Crucible Steel Company in nearby McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania.

The Car and Carriage Museum is open during regular site hours, Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. There is no charge for admission. The building is accessible.