PORTSMOUTH — Visitors to the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum this summer will be able to get an up-close look at three horse-drawn vehicles with ties to the Vanderbilt family and Portsmouth’s Gilded Age past.

The vehicles recently arrived at the museum after being transferred from the Preservation Society of Newport County as part of that organization’s deaccession initiative, which is intended to support the continued growth and care of its permanent collection.

The additions include a vegetable, or utility, cart that belonged to the family of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and was likely used to transport produce from the greenhouses at Oakland Farm or The Breakers to family kitchens. Built by Achilles Stevens sometime between 1880 and 1900, the cart offers a glimpse into the daily operations of the Vanderbilt estates.

Also joining the collection is a Portland Cutter Sleigh built by Studebaker around 1900. Historical records suggest it may have been purchased by one of Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s children. Alfred G. Vanderbilt and Reginald C. Vanderbilt both maintained Portsmouth estates and were known to enjoy sleigh rides through town and along Bellevue Avenue during the winter months.

The third vehicle is a Standard Oakland Wagon built in 1906 by Brewster & Co. of New York. The wagon closely resembles a custom vehicle commissioned in 1902 by Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt for use at Oakland Farm, his primary residence in Portsmouth.

According to the historical society, the vehicles strengthen the museum’s ability to tell the story of Portsmouth’s connections to the Vanderbilt family and the area’s Gilded Age history. Volunteers from U.G. Nason’s assisted with transporting the vehicles to the museum, where board members recently worked to prepare them for display.

The vehicles will be part of the museum’s permanent collection and will be on view during regular museum hours from 2-4 p.m. on the second and fourth Sunday of each month through Sept. 13.

The museum is located at 870 East Main Road. For more information, click here.

The museum is free to all members. A $5 donation per person is kindly suggested for non-members.