In the late 1890s, the automobile was considered a noisy contraption that would never replace horses. However, Larz and Isabel Anderson were pioneers of car collection, amassing an impressive auto collection before most people even owned a car. Their legacy lives on as America's oldest car collection, still in the same place where they parked their cars a century ago.
The couple fell in love with primitive cars driving around Paris in 1898. Upon returning to the States, they ordered their first car, a 1899 Winton Phaeton, and added a Rochet-Schneider from France to their collection a year later. The Andersons were building America's first ever car collection.
The Anderson's Weld estate in Brookline, Massachusetts, is a temple of wheels, featuring a massive two-story brick carriage house built in 1888. Originally designed for horses, the building was inspired by the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire in France.
The transition from stable to garage marked a pivotal moment in car collecting history. Unlike other wealthy individuals of the era, the Andersons kept almost everything, treating their retired vehicles as artifacts. They maintained a rigorous schedule, cleaning and servicing their cars before pushing them into permanent spots in the carriage house.
By the early 1910s, the stalls were occupied by the finest automobiles from around the world. The carriage house became a living museum before the term 'classic car' was even introduced in the automotive dictionary.
The Anderson collection was eclectic and diverse, featuring steam cars like the 1903 Gardner-Serpollet and electric cars like the 1908 Bailey Electric Phaeton Victoria. This mechanical diversity came thanks to the Andersons' interest in everything that moved.
Isabel famously drove herself in the 1908 Bailey Electric Phaeton Victoria, becoming one of the first women to do so. Her passion for driving was unmatched, and she continued to drive well into her old age.
The Anderson collection is a testament to the couple's dedication to their hobby. With over 100 cars on display, it remains one of the most impressive car collections in the world.
Today, visitors can experience the magic of America's oldest car collection, a true marvel of automotive history and a tribute to Larz and Isabel Anderson's enduring legacy.
The Andersons' passion for car collecting paved the way for modern classic car culture.
