Larz Anderson Auto Museum
For our first feature of Beyond the South we are going to showcase Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Boston.
Few places in America can claim to have witnessed the birth of the automobile, but the Larz Anderson Auto Museum comes close. Nestled within the rolling hills of Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, just outside downtown Boston, the museum is home to what is recognized as America’s oldest collection of automobiles. Housed inside the Anderson family’s magnificent 1888 carriage house.
The story begins with Larz and Isabel Anderson, affluent world travelers whose fascination with the automobile started in 1899 with the purchase of a Winton Phaeton. Rather than trading in their cars as newer models appeared, the Andersons preserved them, creating a remarkable timeline of automotive progress. By the time Isabel Anderson donated the estate to the Town of Brookline in 1948, the couple had amassed thirty-two automobiles, bicycles and numerous horse-drawn carriages, ensuring that future generations could witness the rapid evolution from horseless carriage to modern motorcar.
1 of 4 built this is the only survivor
The permanent collection is complemented by rotating exhibits that highlight everything from brass-era classics to modern performance cars, when we visited the exhibit was Poster Cars: Icons of the Road and the Wall, my postercar was a Ferrari 288 GTO!
Outside, the museum’s expansive lawn hosts marque-specific gatherings throughout the summer, drawing enthusiasts of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, British sports cars, Italian exotics, and countless other automotive communities. The day we visited the local Miata Club had a Cars and Coffee event. The relaxed setting encourages conversations between owners and visitors, making the experience as much about the people as the machines.
For Southern Motoring Society, the Larz Anderson Auto Museum represents more than a destination, it’s about preservation of automotive heritage and sharing that history with enthusiasts.
Whether you’re planning a New England road trip or simply searching for a place where history and the birth of the automobile in America meet, this Boston landmark deserves a place on every enthusiast’s itinerary.
For more info of events and to plan your visit check out their website below!
Connecting Automotive Enthusiasts Across the South. 