A surrey is a light, four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with two bench seats facing forward and a fringed canopy on top to provide shade. The canopy often had decorative fringe hanging from its edges, which gave the surrey a festive, elegant appearance.

Surreys were popular in America from the 1870s through the early 1900s, used by families for leisurely rides through town or countryside on Sunday afternoons. Unlike working wagons that hauled supplies, surreys were designed for comfort and pleasure. Families would dress up, climb into their surrey, and enjoy a scenic drive, much like people today might go for a Sunday drive in a convertible.

The surrey became famous through the song “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top” from the musical Oklahoma!, where a character describes a fancy surrey he dreams of riding in. The song captures how special these carriages seemed: they weren't just transportation, but represented leisure, courtship, and a pleasant way of life.

After automobiles became common in the 1920s, surreys disappeared from everyday use. Today you might see them at historical sites, parades, or tourist attractions, where people still enjoy old-fashioned carriage rides.