525 Sunrise Place, NW, Sublimity, Oregon 97385
It was March of 1998 that adherents at the Antique Powerland
Museum, located near Salem, Oregon, decided that a new century
provided a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to hold a special
heritage celebration. The legacy of power machines dates back to
the 18th Century with the introduction of steam motivation followed
by the internal combustion engine. Innovation led to the
introduction of apparatus and implements for harnessing that power
to assist with such daily tasks as farming, logging, fabrication
and manufacturing.
Antique Powerland is all about those early machines and
implements, their design, history and use, and the people behind
them. These collections provide the ready-made opportunity for
‘Celebrating 100 Years of Machines,’ the theme of this
year’s 30th edition of The Great Oregon Steam-Up. The Steam-Up
will take place the two weekends of July 29th, 30th and August 5th,
6th.
Fourteen different heritage restoration and preservation groups
function at Powerland, each dedicated to different categories of
machines. Represented are steam, early gas engines, tractors,
crawlers, farm implements, construction, logging and sawing,
blacksmithing, flour milling, trucks, rail and trolleys represented
and demonstrated both full size and in model exhibits.
The show is held at the 63 acre Powerland heritage site with
free parking being provided. Demonstrations include: threshing,
baling, plowing (both tractors and horses), blacksmithing, logging
and steam-driven sawmilling, wheelwright fabrication, antique
engine and tractor operation, steam traction engines and stationary
engine operations, spinning and weaving fire service apparatus
demonstrations, culminating in a daily giant parade!
Saturday, July 29th will be Caterpillar Day. The Caterpillar
Company, an American institution, is celebrating its 75th
anniversary this year.
Sunday, July 30th will feature farming, logging and sawrig.
These two economic drivers dominated the area’s productivity
for many years.
Saturday, August 5th will highlight transportation, trades and
services. Special emphasis will be directed to blacksmithing, fire
service, construction and electrification.
Sunday, August 6th, will be the culmination of this four-day
spectacle with a focus on early period ‘Great Machines at
Work’ including both steam and gasoline. The day will focus on
how the large machines operated and were used. Antique Powerland
Museum is easy to find. Take I-5 to the Brooks, Oregon exit #263,
which is eight miles north of Salem. Upon exiting, turn west ? mile
for the entrance to the site which is well marked. For more
information, contact me at the above address, or call (503)
767-2400; (503) 767-2413 or e-mail dalzell@wvi.com. Visit our
website at www.antiquepowerland.com.
