The Carriage Collection at Poplar Hill
John
M. Walton, Sr., had a passion for horses and extended that passion to
driving and collecting horse drawn vehicles. His collection of sixteen
restored vehicles is now available to visitors in his carriage house
and stable. His Lordship's Kindness Horse Farm and the historic house
form the perfect backdrop for the beautifully restored coaches and assorted
buggies that were such an integral part of daily life a century ago.
The oldest carriage in the collection is a "Curtin Coach"
from the early 1800s (c. 1820). Only the wealthiest Americans could
own such vehicles. Producing a coach for the road required the master
craftsman skills of a coachbuilder, a harness maker, and the specialized
training of two or four horses. The expense did not stop there. A driver
experienced in handling such horses and a cumbersome vehicle was also
needed, along with at least one groom to provide daily care for the
horses. The Curtain Coach was driven by Mr. Walton in a variety of events
around Washington, including The National Bicentennial Parade and in
many Prince George's County Bicentennial events.
The
collection contains a wide variety of special use carriages. There is
a large "hunting break" to take hunters and their bird dogs
to the field for sport shooting. Hunting dogs were carried in louvered
compartments under the high, exposed seats where the hunters sat. Pulled
by four horses, this was a very stylish vehicle, which could double
for family outings in good weather. Another favorite is the butcher's
delivery cart with its canvas walls, sliding side doors, tailgate and
a glass windshield. There is even a two-seater sleigh and a racing sulky,
similar to the one driven by Ulysses S. Grant through the streets of
Washington when he was president.
As a group, these ready-to-drive vehicles provide a wonderful cross
section of specialized horse-drawn vehicles from bygone America. The
Carriage Museum is open to the public by appointment and during special
events.
