A rare red mechanical horse rests in a corner. During the years that Pedersen and his wife, Susan, lived in the building, even their living quarters reflected his collection. Nine restroom soap dispensers climb the bathroom wall. The museum is rented out for private parties, with catered meals served off a 1927 Moreland oil delivery truck. You can still tour the museum but only by appointment, even if you have just a few people.
Admission is free.
While you're there, stop at the Museum Cafe on the ground floor, where you'll see more gas station memorabilia. 1 p.m. A breakfast specialty is Garage Eggs, three scrambled with onions, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, potatoes and Swiss cheese, served with cottage fries and toast. At lunchtime, choose from hot or cold sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers and entrees of meatloaf, chicken, pasta and fish and chips. Prices are moderate. Odyssey, the Maritime Discovery Center, opened last July on the waterfront at Pier 66, the Bell Street Pier on Alaskan Way.