It's not uncommon for a group of enthusiast to pull together and have a tractor show, but a group of Southern Illinois folks have much bigger dreams.
If you've traveled across Interstate 70 in the last couple years, you may have noticed a few buildings springing up at the 45 mile marker. More noticeable than the buildings is an Oliver 70 Standard and a MM ZA hoisted up in the air. No, it's not an Illinois High-Crop, it's the entrance to the American Farm Heritage Museum grounds in Greenville, IL.

In 2002 an idea took root when a group of farm collector enthusiasts had a vision and the American Farm Heritage Museum board was founded as a non-profit organization. What better place to build a museum to celebrate our agricultural heritage than right in the heart of the Midwest.

Where would they build it? They say location is everything and they are right. After looking at several different sites, they were given the opportunity to buy 17 acres with frontage along Interstate 70. This location has 5 Interstate highways within an hour's drive in all directions. Through generous donations and fundraisers, the group was able to acquire the 17 acres. There was no turning back now.

A building/business plan was formulated and in 2004 the first building was erected at the museum grounds. This gambrel roof building is marked to be the maintenance building when all plans are completed but for now it houses a nice display of antique tractors and memorabilia canvassing all brands.

In addition to the building, the organization also held their first tractor show the last weekend in July 2004. Since this was the first show, expectations were kept low but over 125 tractors showed up, making it a success in the eyes of the coordinators. There were many antique equipment vendors, a working sawmill, an antique tractor pull, fun-auction, church service, people movers and many other activities for all to participate in. Several thousand people passed through the showgrounds that weekend, drawing many passerbys from the interstate. Plans are even bigger for this years show with the hope of drawing 400 tractors and even a few steam engines.

Since that time another building has been put up, this one being an open sided building for displays during the show. Following the first show, it was obvious that they would quickly outgrow the original 17 acres. Through the generosity of a bordering farmer, the museum was able to contract for an additional 40 acres to allow future growth.

Check out Issue # 8 of Oliver Heritage and check out the American Farm Heritage Museum at www.americanfarmheritagemuseum.org!!!