Photo © Courtesy of Northwest Carriage Museum
Nothing can quite prepare visitors for the step back in time they experience when they cross the threshold at the Northwest Carriage Museum: pictures of these vehicles just don’t do justice to how gorgeous and impactful this world-class collection is in person. Devoid of glass walls and velvet ropes, this museum truly does feel like a stroll through a bygone era.
The exhibits not only showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of the vehicles and artifacts, but also perfectly encapsulate their lives and personal histories. The love of this collection by those running the museum can be felt in every detail, and the experience leaves visitors stunned. Even kids of all ages are deeply engaged: playful and thoughtfully crafted interactive exhibits allow visitors to get their hands on history and thoroughly debunk the myth that learning about history can’t be fun!
The Northwest Carriage Museum focuses on horse-drawn transportation and related artifacts. The collection has grown to an astounding 64 horse-drawn vehicles, including several featured in old Hollywood films such as “Gone with the Wind.” It also features thousands of 19th-century artifacts, including period clothing, carriage-making tools, and day-to-day objects that bring the period to life! This stunning display is not what you would expect to find in a small town: the collection is world-class and invites visitors to “Come get Carried Away!” to another era.
The museum began in 2002 with a donation of a 21-vehicle private collection from local businessman Gary Dennis. Over the past 23 years, the museum has seen growth not only in its collection, but also in visitor numbers, community and industry partnerships, and renown.
Museum curator Jerry Bowman has played a key role in the museum’s growth. The “why” behind this is no big mystery—spend five minutes with Jerry among these incredible vehicles and he’ll have you so enthused, you’ll be chomping at the bit to restore your own carriage! The “how” is the more serendipitous tale: after retiring early from corporate careers in Southern California and moving to Raymond 22 years ago, Jerry and his wife Laurie had no idea the adventure into which they were about to be drawn when they started volunteering at the newly opened Northwest Carriage Museum.
Laurie ended up at the helm of the organization as Executive Director, where she focused her efforts on spreading the word about this hidden gem. Jerry, a long-time history buff who had previously restored antiques and classic cars, was spellbound by the history and craftsmanship of these vehicles and became a historian of the horse-drawn era, as well as a restoration and conservation resource for carriage lovers worldwide. Under the guidance of the Bowmans, the Northwest Carriage Museum has gained renown worldwide, becoming a must-see destination for travellers in the Pacific Northwest and a tourism boon to the small town of Raymond.
The Northwest Carriage Museum—located on the pristine Willapa River in the natural wonderland of Southwest Washington—is full of surprises, to say the least! Its story is one not only of history, but also of community—its mission to keep horse-drawn history alive has changed the face of the town, and its stewardship of transportation history is for the better.
Visit them from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., year-round, at 314 Alder Street in Raymond, WA. To schedule a guided group tour, call (360) 942-4150.
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Stroll among one of America’s best collections of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles, you will see elegant carriages, common day buggies, work wagons, coaches, sleighs, and thousands of period artifacts and clothing.