43138 Road 52, Reedley, California 93654
A new museum is being established in order to preserve
agricultural equipment of the past.
People who are interested in antique engines and related
equipment will find this new museum in Merced, California, very
interesting.
Charlie Parrish, a successful Merced businessman and a member of
several EDGE&TA Branches, started to collect old engines in
1984 and today has about 150 to his name. Charlie had a dream years
ago of establishing his own museum and today it is here for all of
us to enjoy. Charlie reached deep into his pocketbook and built a
modern 60,000 square foot building on his three acre parcel which
he allotted for this purpose, just east of Merced on Highway 140a
direct route from the San Joaquin Valley to the 1849’er Mother
Lode Gold Rush country. He wanted to preserve his old engines for
the public to see in action and for educational purposes, and says
he has only begun to expand his enterprise. He plans to continue
building a complete complex of turn-of-the-century buildings and
has already laid the foundation for his blacksmith shop. His
collection of engines ranges from a one-fourth horsepower to a 120
horsepower monster, and he travels far and wide just to find them.
Among his favorite scouting places are the old abandoned silver
mines in the desert country of Nevada.
Charlie is willing to share his museum with other clubs, and
expects to have two shows here each year, or will offer the museum
for workshop purposes. He is full of ambition and has a pocketful
of dreams which he is determined to carry out.
He extended an open house invitation to all his engine friends
and local folks last November. His guests’ registry shows
visitors from all parts of the USA, as well as Canada, Japan and
Australia.
So, whenever you are traveling through central California be
sure and stop in at the Merced County Museum, 4498 East Highway
140, it will be well worth your time and effort to meet Charlie
Parrish and see his accomplishments.