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In June 2009, the Museum opened its newest exhibition “Horse Power” featuring horse-drawn vehicles used in transportation and commerce.
It is a unique exhibit in that it the first time we have devoted a display exclusively to animal power. There was some discussion as to the appropriateness for a museum whose core collection extols the virtues of the internal combustion engine to allot significant space to conveyances that don’t cough, sputter or hiss. But it was determined—and enthusiastically so—that the horse is an integral part of the transportation story and one that is appropriate for us to tell.
Of course, it helps to have access to a world-class collection of horse-dawn commercial vehicles. Sut and Margaret Marshall of Conway, NH have been amassing just such a collection for many years and have graciously made it available for this purpose.
The following list is just a sampling of what will be on display. The exhibition will be up for three years and a number of the Marshall’s vehicles will come and go during that time. It is an exciting exhibit, one we encourage everyone to come and see. It is a beautiful testament to man and beast.
Exhibits that are currently represented in "Horse Power"
- Albany Vis-á-vis - (6 passenger)
- Albany Cutter
- Baker's Hand Cart ~ Barretts & Sons
- Concord Coach c. 1850
- Eight Bow Conestoga Wagon, c. 1840
- Hood Milk Wagon
- Knackerman's Cart
- Leisey Brewery Dray
- Merlin French Portable Steam Engine, 1885
- Milk Delivery Sleigh
- Milk Cart, c. 1880
- Newfoundland Taxi Sleigh
- Postal Sleigh, c. 1910
- Rockaway Coach, 1880
- Six Passenger Surrey, c. 1910
- Spekler Milk Wagon
- Standard Oil Delivery Wagon
- The Norfolk #3 Hand Pumper
- Watkins Wagon, c.1870's
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The Wright Brothers' historic flight of 1903 marked the dawn of new technologies that would allow us to navigate the oceans of air and build machines called automobiles to roll across continents. Thomas Edison harnessed electricity while Alexander Graham Bell gave us the telephone. Henry Ford and Ransom Olds manufactured thousands of autos to replace the horse and buggy while Glenn Curtiss carried forward where the Wrights left off. These men along with scores of others developed the stepping stones leading from the Old World to the one we live in today.
In Maine, because of topography, location and bad roads, river steamers and coastal schooners, railroads and even the horse and buggy still were the prime movers for several more decades. Even today Maine retains a flavor different from its neighbors thanks to its maritime heritage.
Exhibits that are currently represented in "A Century Ago":
Aircraft
- 1891 Lillienthal Glider (1/2 Scale Representation)
- 1896 Chanute Glider (1/2 Scale Representation)
- 1900 (ca.) Clark Ornithopter
- 1903 Wright Kitty Hawk Flyer (Reproduction)
- 1913 Deperdussin (Reproduction)
- 1963 Gemini Space Capsule (Representation)
Automobiles
- 1895 Buffam Stanhope
- 1898 Leon Bolle Tri-car
- 1902 Curved Dash Olds
- 1903 Prescott Steam Runabout
- 1904 Stanley Model B Runabout
- 1906 Black Motor Buggy
- 1907 Cadillac Runabout
- 1907 Renault Vanderbilt Racer (Replica)
- 1909 DeDion - Bouton Voiture
- 1913 Ford Model T Roadster
Bicycles
- 1868 Roper Steam Velocipede
- 1868 Velocipede Boneshaker
- 1879 Baliss Thomas Harvard Highwheeler
- 1887 (ca.) Safety Bicycle
- 1885 Star Safety Highwheeler
- 1901 Steffey Motor Bike
Horse drawn
- 1850 (ca.) Portland Cutter
- c. unknown, Horse-drawn carriage
Rail
- 1870 4-4-0 American Locomotive and Tender (Model)
- Boston and Maine Railroad (Model)
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This ongoing exhibit available for viewing by request during our renovations
Nothing has helped define and shape mankind's technological history more than the invention and subsequent development of the wheel. From the dawn of time, we have sought to increase productivity through the use of tools, and the wheel is one of the greatest examples of simple tools that make our lives easier and better every day.
The obvious centerpiece of the Museum's "Where There is a Wheel There's a Way" tour, this exhibit will show you a timeline of the development of mankind's greatest invention—the wheel.
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The Wright Brothers -
Pioneers of Flight
In a letter dated September 3, 1900 Wilbur Wright wrote this to his father, Bishop Milton Wright: “I am intending to start in a few days for a trip to the coast of North Carolina in the vicinity of Roanoke Island, for the purpose of making some experiments with a flying machine. It is my belief that flight is possible and while I am taking up the investigation for pleasure rather than profit, I think there is a slight possibility of achieving fame and fortune from it.
Read more...
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Building the Wright Flyer—Museum Style
In 1995, the Owls Head Transportation Museum embarked on one the more ambitious construction projects in its history—the building of a full-scale representation of the 1903 Wright Kitty Hawk Flyer.
Read more...
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Postcard Art
The WINTER 2004-05 issue of the Museum's quarterly publication, Strut & Axle featured an article on Postcard Art from the collection of Museum Trustee Steven Lang. As impressive as the images were in black & white, they are even more so in color. Follow the link below to view a digital slide show of these cards.
View the cards
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Digital Design Gallery
Click on the Packard above to view these exciting images
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