Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum

Address:Stony Brook, New York
Tel: (631) 751-0066

The Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, is the perfect place to discover the richness of America's cultural heritage. With on-site art and history museums, as well as a beautiful garden with historic structures surrounding, this museum is a sure crowd pleaser.

10 galleries with over 200 horse-drawn carriages flood the floor of the museum. This collection is recognized as the finest in the United States, and about 100 carriages are constantly on display, along with other fine artifacts from the carriage era.

Aside for the rare beauty and craftsmanship you will find in the carriages, the Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum also houses a 19th century authentic carriage making shop, complete with working machines. As far as carriages, prepare yourself for them all. Fascinating exhibits on how horse-drawn carriages shaped American life and the use of carriage in industrial America will really peak your interest. Marvel at the firefighting carriages and yes, even children's vehicles.

The museum's gift & book shop offers fine quality items including rare books, cards, statuettes, road signs, jewelry, clothing, and toys for kids.

To access the Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum, take the Long Island Expressway (Rt. 495) to exit 62. Head north on County Road 97 (Nicolls Road) and turn left onto Route 25A at the end. At the Main St. in Stony Brook, head left. You will see the museum on the right side.

It will take you about 1-1.5 hours to reach the Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum from New York City, but imagine how long it would take if you rode one of the museum's fine carriages!

The Dorothy and Ward Melville Carriage Museum: Ten galleries display over 100 authentic horse-drawn carriages.On the lower level, A Trip to Yesterday: Long Island in the Carriage Era simulates part of a Long Island village at the turn of the century.