3379 Macedonia Road Bethel, Ohio 45106
On August 13, 14, 15 & 16, 1992, the Ohio Valley Antique
Machinery show held their 22nd annual Reunion. This was a very
proud and memorable show for everyone involved. This year marked
the first year on the organization’s new grounds purchased in
November 1990. It was a lot of hard work getting the ground
developed and ready for the 1992 show, but everyone worked together
hand in hand to accomplish this goal. We also hosted a very
successful first National Ford Meet, which resulted in starting a
Ford Club.
The 1992 Ford Reunion had been in the works two years prior to
the show, and resulted in a huge success. A Ford registry started
before the meet by O. V. A. M. had become very large by show time.
This registry was turned over to the Ford Club, which formed at the
show to continue and make the registry even larger for future
collectors to use. To register with the association, send name,
address, serial number, and model to the Ford/Fordson Registry
& Collectors Association, 645 Loveland Miamiville Rd.,
Loveland, Ohio 45140.
The oldest Ford tractor at the reunion was a 1917 Fordson
experimental model brought by Duane Helman from Rosewood, Ohio
(Picture #1). Duane has pictures of Henry Ford driving this tractor
back in the early years of the Fordson. This tractor, along with
all of the other tractors, did not sit idle, but was on the move at
the show.
Picture #2 is one of three rare tractors that Dwight Emstrom
brought from Galesburg, Illinois.
Tom Rohrick of Batavia, Ohio, exhibited his Fordson road roller,
which has been at the show for over two decades.
Picture #3 is of a rare V-8 conversion Ford owned by Roberts
Farm Antiques of Cortland, Ohio. This conversion tractor was one of
several V-8 and six cylinder conversion tractors at the show.
A sugar cane, cotton-conversion Special was shown by the
well-known Ford collector, Palmer Fossum, from Northfield,
Minnesota.
Picture #4 is of a nicely restored 2N owned by Wendell Kelch,
who is the president of O. V. A. M.
Picture #5 is of a Fordson Major and Ford Dexta, which combined
for a unique display at the show. These pictures are only a few of
the rare tractors that were present at this beautiful event. The O.
V. A. M. would like to thank everyone who brought and displayed
their equipment at this National Ford Meet.
There were also several hundred tractors at the 1992 that were
not Fords. Rick Horning from Gallon, Ohio, brought his rare 15-30
Townsend tractor and worked the Baker fan with it. Rick came down a
couple days before the show even started, just to help the
organization get ready for the show. His help and support was very
greatly appreciated.
Picture #6 is of a G706 M-M propane tractor with four wheel
drive unit and factory cab. This tractor is owned by Paul Chapman
of Athens, Ohio. He said he is coming back next year.
A 1956 Oliver Super 99 with GMC diesel motor, owned by Mike and
Alyssa Alden of Martinsville, Ohio, was one of eight tractors that
their family brought to the show.
Roger Neal exhibited his 1918 Mack truck. This truck has been
used in several movies and is restored to perfection.
There were several steam engines displayed at the event. A 1931
Keck-Gonnerman is owned by David Dunn and is the second to last one
built. A 1912 Farquhar was the oldest engine at the show and is
owned by 16 year old Todd Slone of Amelia, Ohio.
There were also a lot of unusual pieces at the show that were
not tractors, like a 1920 Bucyrus steam shovel that was blowing
smoke and moving about every day of the show. The club bought and
restored this piece back in 1976.
A 90 HP Buckeye oil engine was recently donated to the club by
Paul Weber of Winchester, Kentucky. The engine was originally used
to pump water out of a rock quarry. This engine is at the center of
the gas engine area, which is also a very important part of the
show. Another very unusual sight in the gas engine area was two
antique radial airplane engines. These engines were demonstrated
and explained by Hal Funk several times every day.
The sawmill was also very active throughout the show, and
cornmeal was ground by an antique grist mill.
The club works very hard to make the show a fun event for the
entire family. We have a committee devoted entirely to kids’
games, and events and games for young kids are numerous. This is
done in hopes that someday these youngsters will get the antique
collectors ‘bug.’
There are four women on the board of directors, who create
events enjoyable for women. This is done in hopes that the days of
the wife reading a book in the car are over. Most women enjoy our
show as much as the men and children.
In 1993, Ohio Valley Antique Machinery Show will hold the
National Massey Harris Meet, and the club is very proud to hold
this event. We are making very big plans to ensure that it is as
successful and enjoyable as our Ford meet. Several Massey Harris
pieces were brought in to advertise for the 1993 meet. Two of these
are shown in pictures #7 & #8. Members of O.V.A.M. Show would
like to invite everyone to visit on August 12, 13, 14, 6k 15, 1993.
For a free information packet and map of the show, write to Brad
Hauck, 3379 Macedonia Road, Bethel, Ohio 45106. For information
about the 1993 Massey Harris Reunion, write to Dan Whalen, 2277
Berry Road, Amelia, Ohio 45102.
