At 66 Lancaster Ave., Ephrata, just a stone's throw from Ephrata Hospital, is a small building that holds treasures to make the eyes of most children and many adults grow large with delight. The Seiverling Museum - Car and Pedal Car Museum holds 150 pedal cars from all over the world, plus three full-size classic cars.

"This was put together by my great-uncle Richard Seiverling," said Darren Seiverling, who, along with his family, oversees the museum and gives tours by appointment. Richard, who passed in 2006, began collecting cars - full-size cars - in the mid-1980s. "The building was built in 1991 to house his car collection," said Darren, noting that between 1991 and 1994, the building was full of classic cars with space to work on some of them. "Around '95, he got the first pedal car, and he was so proud," recalled Darren, pointing out the 1947 tan and orange Pontiac that is still in the museum. "He called us over the first day it came because he was so excited."

The first pedal car was the beginning of a trend that would last the rest of Richard's life. "It felt like every week, I was putting in a new pedal car," Darren said. "They came in crates from all over the nation." According to Darren, Richard liked the color schemes and how small and cute they were. "There's hardly any maintenance," he noted, adding that Richard's love for the cars was evident as he showed them off and told the story of each car.

Darren shared that most of the cars in the museum are "original restored," meaning they were bought brand new by somebody and played with, and they went to the attic before being restored close to original condition. "The restorers in the mid-1990s picked them up and restored them and sent Richard a Polaroid (photo)," said Darren. "If he liked the Polaroid, he sent them a check."

By 1996, Richard wanted to share his enjoyment with others, so he opened the museum and began bringing in small groups for tours. Soon he was running out of room. "At that time, he had a 1927 Chevy coupe, and one day, he said, 'I am selling the Chevy because I need more room for pedal cars,'" recalled Darren, who was 16 at the time and was shocked by the decision. "(Richard) sold the Chevy and (bought) more pedal cars."

For an adult who remembers the age of pedal cars - from about the 1920s to the 1970s, it is interesting to look for cars similar to those they remember, but some rather fancy automobiles are on display as well. Referencing a 1924 Packard, Darren noted that families that could afford $50 to $100 for a child's toy in that time period owned the cars. By the 1950s, some pedal cars could be purchased for $15, and middle-class families could afford them. "I consider these the Power Wheels of that time," said Darren.

Darren, who still buys and sells pedal cars, identifies them by searching old pedal car advertisements on the internet. But cars are not the only vehicles represented in the museum. A truck that was specially made for the museum, a bulldozer, and a tandem pedal car that could be pedaled by two children at the same time are also featured, along with several pedal planes and a boat on its own trailer.

Currently, the museum is open only by appointment, and groups are limited. There is no admission fee, but per-person donations are appreciated. "We let everybody mosey around at their own pace," said Darren. Readers who would like more information about the museum may visit http://www.pedalcarmuseum.com or search for "Seiverling Museum, Car and Pedal Car Museum" on Facebook. Individuals with specific questions may call 717-431-7257.