Found out some interesting facts about my employer and agricultural history today from an old article from the company newspaper dated 8-02-62.
In 1956 a subsidiary company began collecting antique tractors, starting with the purchase of seven tractors. The intention was to build a farm machinery museum to be housed on company property in southern Delaware Cnty. Ohio. By 1962 there were more than 100 pieces of equipment, but still no museum. The collection started with a 1908 Titan and six other 1900-1920 vintage tractors. When building plans for the museum were drawn up a non-profit corp. was formed and donations were solicited for antique machinery. Donations poured in and the collection was said to be worth thousands of dollars. In 1957 alone the original 16 items were said to be worth $20,000. The Titan was found in a barn on property the company bought as was a 1912 Victor gas engine. The company also had plans for an early Ohio village on the property.
In 1965 the subsidiary company gave up on the museum and the entire collection was donated to the Agricultural Hall of Fame and National Agricultural Center at Bonner Springs, Kansas. The collection then included the 1908 Titan, a 1916 Mogul, 1920 "Titan Terror" Model 10-20, a 1919 International 8-16 with all original equipment and a1922 McCormick-Deering.
Does anyone know if these items are still in the collection in Kansas?
The company eventually built a hotel and conference center on the site of the proposed museum and village in 1962, and later converted it into a private company training center, in 1974. It was completely remodeled into a bigger and modern hotel and convention center in 2002 that is now open to the public as well as continuing as a company training center.
In 1956 a subsidiary company began collecting antique tractors, starting with the purchase of seven tractors. The intention was to build a farm machinery museum to be housed on company property in southern Delaware Cnty. Ohio. By 1962 there were more than 100 pieces of equipment, but still no museum. The collection started with a 1908 Titan and six other 1900-1920 vintage tractors. When building plans for the museum were drawn up a non-profit corp. was formed and donations were solicited for antique machinery. Donations poured in and the collection was said to be worth thousands of dollars. In 1957 alone the original 16 items were said to be worth $20,000. The Titan was found in a barn on property the company bought as was a 1912 Victor gas engine. The company also had plans for an early Ohio village on the property.
In 1965 the subsidiary company gave up on the museum and the entire collection was donated to the Agricultural Hall of Fame and National Agricultural Center at Bonner Springs, Kansas. The collection then included the 1908 Titan, a 1916 Mogul, 1920 "Titan Terror" Model 10-20, a 1919 International 8-16 with all original equipment and a1922 McCormick-Deering.
Does anyone know if these items are still in the collection in Kansas?
The company eventually built a hotel and conference center on the site of the proposed museum and village in 1962, and later converted it into a private company training center, in 1974. It was completely remodeled into a bigger and modern hotel and convention center in 2002 that is now open to the public as well as continuing as a company training center.
