Auburn Heights Preserve encompasses an 1897 Victorian country estate surrounded by 200+ acres of preserved open space. The property was donated to the State of Delaware in 2008 by Thomas C. and Ruth Marshall, the third generation of the Marshall family to live on the property.

Auburn Heights is home to the Marshall Collection of steam-powered automobiles, generally regarded as the world's pre-eminent steam car collection (15 Stanley Steamers plus 2 Packards and a Rauch & Lang electric car).

This is an OPERATING museum: all cars in the collection are drivable, and the museum offers rides on one of the steam cars and the electric car on its public event days.

In addition, a 1/8-size steam-powered railroad circles the estate, offering rides to public event guests.

Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve is an outgrowth of the Marshall Steam Team, which Thomas C. Marshall, Jr. founded in 1997 to pass along his knowledge of the art of steam car operation and maintenance. In 2003, Mr. & Mrs. Marshall announced their agreement with the State of Delaware to turn their home, Auburn Heights, over to the State in 2008, ending a continuous Marshall family occupation of the property that dates back to its construction in 1897.

The Marshall Steam Team was formally reorganized as the Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve in 2004. The group now owns the Marshall auto and railroad collections, operates them and generally assists the state in caring for and operating the property.