Visiting the Carriage Museum in the Beautiful City of Aiken. Aiken, South Carolina is one of the two largest cities located in the Central Savannah River Area, yet it is able to retain the small town flavor that so many visitors love. The city was even recognized by the National Civic League with an All America City Award. It is a great place to live and the perfect place to take a nice relaxing vacation. Visitors will find plenty of different things to see and do while there.
Horses and carriages are very important to the past and the present of the town, and visitors will certainly notice that as they explore the town and many of the attractions there. It is very much a part of the locals’ life.
One of the places that many people visit when they want to get a real slice of the area’s historical past is the Carriage Museum at Rye Patch. The museum was once a carriage house owned by the prominent Rogers family. Clifford S. Gerde started the museum because of his love for the old carriages. He was a member of the Aiken Driving Club and restored carriages to their working conditions. It was only natural for Gerde to start a museum.
The Aiken Driving Club has some very notable carriages for visitors to see while touring the museum. Included are a Pony Phaeton, the 3-Seat Surrey from 1900, a 1905 Village Cart, a 1910 Rockaway, and an 1890 Buckboard Phaeton. Even if you don’t know what all of those carriage names mean now, you certainly will after completing your tour.
The Carriage Museum is a very affordable place for the entire family to visit – it’s free! However, in order to take a tour of the museum, you need to call to set up an appointment. The museum is open most days, although it is closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Junior Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Guests can set up appointments between 10AM and dusk.
The Carriage Museum is a great place for people to learn about the history of the area in regards to the transportation system, the carriages that were once in use all around the country. Everyone who visits the town of Aiken for a vacation should put the Carriage Museum on his or her itinerary.
100 Berrie RD
Aiken,SC 29801
Phone: (803) 642-7631
Fax: (803) 642-7639
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