The Collection

The Seal Cove Auto Museum preserves an extraordinary collection of early automobiles from the Brass Era, a time when innovation, craftsmanship, and imagination were transforming the way people traveled. Located on a quiet back road of Mount Desert Island, Maine, the museum brings together remarkable vehicles built between 1895 and 1917, each offering a glimpse into the design, technology, and spirit of a rapidly changing world.

The collection was assembled over a lifetime by passionate automobile enthusiast Richard Paine, whose vision was to preserve these pioneering vehicles for future generations. He established the nonprofit Seal Cove Auto Museum to share this remarkable collection with the public and keep the stories of early motoring alive.

Today, visitors can explore these unique automobiles and discover the ingenuity, artistry, and ambition that helped shape the future of transportation. The museum is open to the public seasonally, May through October.

Motor Vehicles

Locomobile 1900, Steam

Motor Vehicle

The Locomobile Company of America was founded in 1899 by Cosmopolitan magazine editor and publisher John B. Walker and paving contractor Amzi L. Barber. This followed Walker's purchase of plans and patents from the Stanley brothers to manufacture a steam car. The Walker - Barber partnership was short lived though, with Walker selling out to Barber, and Barber relocating Locomobile production to Bridgeport, Connecticut. Production of steam powered Locomobiles continued until 1903 by which time Barber had sold his steam car rights back to the Stanley Brothers and switched to internal combustion engines. Barber also sold his rights to Locomobile to his brother-in-law, J. J. Albright at that time. The Company was now headed by Albright, Barber's son-in-law Samuel Todd Davis, and a brilliant, new, young engineer, Andrew Lawrence Riker. Following racing victories, the most significant of which was becoming the first United States built car to win the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup in international competition, Locomobile had established itself as the manufacturer of speedy and well-built luxury cars. During the First World War, Locomobile shifted production to trucks but, after the War's end when production returned to automobiles, the post-war recession forced Albright to sell out to Mercer Automobiles, then under the control of Hare's Motors of New York. With a new Board of Directors, Locomobile was able to separate from Hare in 1921, but with continued financial problems the company was acquired by Durant Motors in 1922. Automobiles carrying the name Locomobile were produced by Durant Motors until that company's failure in 1929. This car was restored by George Hughes of Broomall, PA for Sam Tarnapol of Philadelphia. This is an open Stanhope Victoria topped two passenger steam car with a burgundy and black body, red pinstripes and red wire wheels. It has a purple fabric interior and black fabric lined leather top.

Motorcycles

Objects