Register Ashe visits Museum of Springfield History

Left to right: Donald E. Ashe, Richard Stevens, Guy McLain


DONALD E. ASHE, Hampden County Register of Deeds depicted above with Guy McLain, director of the Museum of Springfield History and the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, and Richard Stevens, founder of the Duryea Transportation Society at the Museum of Springfield History on May 18, 2010.


Register Ashe was treated to a personal tour of the newly opened MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY on May 18th by Guy McLain and Richard Stevens. Mr. Stevens is founding president of the Duryea Transportation Society and has been a driving force in bringing out the most important role Springfield played in our transportation history as the Duryea was the first gasoline powered car in America and was produced in 1893 in Springfield by J. Frank Duryea at 47 Taylor Street, now known as Duryea Way.

Many other Springfield “firsts” are on display there such as the Indian Motorcycles and Rolls Royce automobiles that were also manufactured in Springfield. The GeeBee airplane manufactured here by the Granville Brothers can also be seen.


Guy McLain has done an outstanding job of creating the MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY.

Take the time to treat yourself to a fascinating look at our city’s proud past. Perhaps you will get an idea for our future while there.




21 Edwards Street

Replica of the original Duryea built by Richard Stevens

Springfield's Connection to the Vanderbilts Thanks to the Duryea Automobile

On March 15, 2010, Vanity Fair magazine featured an article, "Driving with the Vanderbilt's II", about the son of the world's richest man at the turn of the century, George Vanderbilt. His estate, Biltmore, located outside Asheville, North Carolina, at 175,000 square feet, remains the largest private residence in America.

George Vanderbilt was focused on "automobiling" as his favorite passion. He had six cars registered at his estate. Only one remains and it is a great rarity. "A handsome and huge seven-passenger 1913 Stevens-Duryea Model C6 Touring". The cost of this luxurious auto new was over $5,000.00, or the equivalent of $111,000.00 in today's currency. The company's motto was "There is No Better Motor Car". Therefore, George Vanderbilt definitely had to have one!

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