When you think of Intercourse, PA, you likely think of it being the heart of Amish culture in Lancaster County. However, you might be surprised to learn it’s also home to a fabulous antique automobile museum, Barry’s Car Barn.
Barry’s Car Barn house the private collection of local businessman Barry Baldwin, and opened to the public in 2021. It focuses on American muscle cars from the 1950s-1970s, though you’ll also find a great collection of antique signage, gas pumps, and even motorcycles within the space.
Barry’s Car Bar is located in, not surprisingly, in a large white building that resembles a modern barn. Inside, you’ll find approximately 50 different antique cars on display, lined up in four rows for easy viewing.
During my visit, I noticed that a large percentage of the cars were Chevrolet’s, though other manufacturers were represented in the collection as well. Unlike some car museums in PA that have automobiles dating back to the early 20th century or even the late 19th century, the oldest car I saw on display was from the 1930s.
The lack of breadth in the display, however, allows for a solid focus on muscle cars and really lets you appreciate how these cars changed from year to year.
As I walked through the museum, I was first struck with the immaculate condition of every car. Whether they are simply well maintained or expertly restored, I’m not sure, but the condition of these cars is just about flawless.
It’s like walking onto a mid-century factory showroom.
Each car also had a sign with information about each vehicle. What was on the sign was a bit mixed with some having paragraphs that got into a lot of detail on the model, while others had spec sheets that you might expect to see on the window of a new car.
For those that love antique cars, that is more than enough information here to keep you occupied for a long time. On the other hand, if you are like me and only have a passing interest in antique cars, the signs are a bit heady.
It would have been nice to have a few quick highlights noted on the signs for those who, like me, are just looking for a few nuggets of information.
In addition to the antique cars, there were also around 20 motorcycles on display during my visit.
These were primarily Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles, dating back to the 1910s. These too were in great condition, and it was interesting to see a bit of variety in the museum after looking at so many cars.
Barry’s Car Barn also features a ton of antique automobile-related signage on the walls including neon gas station signs, other automobile signage, and even a nice collection of gas pumps.
These really add to the ambiance of the space, and I enjoyed looking at these pieces of history almost as much as the cars themselves.
Having visited nearly all of the other large antique automobile museums in the state, I was really impressed with the collection at Barry’s Car Barn, even if it did lack the breadth of years and manufacturers that some other museums showcase. This definitely a well curated collection.
Overall, if you love antique automobiles, and especially those from the 1950s and 1960s, Barry’s Car Barn in Intercourse, PA is a must visit spot when exploring PA Dutch Country.
Looking for more things to do nearby? Check out the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the covered bridges of Lancaster County, and the National Iron and Steel Heritage Museum.
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