Founded in 1978, the Carriage Museum of America is a non-profit library and museum that is dedicated to preserving the history of America’s carriage trade. In 19th century America, carriages were a way of life. By preserving the trade journals, photographs, carriage catalogs, and books printed during and about this era, the Carriage Museum of America also safeguards an important component of America’s past, which is still enjoyed by many in the present.
It is our mission to serve as an authoritative resource for information, education, and research about animal-drawn vehicles and related subjects. We strive to be a source of knowledge for anyone interested in learning more about carriages or the carriage trade.
On these pages you will find a wealth of information on the 19th Century carriage trade in the United States and beyond. However, this website provides only a small portion of the information contained in our research library and archives. If you are interested in researching a type of vehicle, a specific carriage manufacturer, or any other topic related to carriages, we can help! Please contact us for further information.
If you’re planning a visit to the beautiful city of Lexington, we welcome you to stop by in person to tour our library or spend time doing research in our files. Please keep in mind that at this time, there are no carriages on display. We do ask that you call in advance to schedule an appointment, so that our staff can prepare for your visit. We look forward to working with you!