56
—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, August 26,1978
.Elmer Lapp, Kinzers, le(J the parade at the 30th annual Threshermen’s Reunion last week with this original Conestoga Wagon pulled by a team of his
well-known Belgians.
Threshers 9 reunion fascinated many
By DIETER KRIEG
KINZERS The young
and old, farmers and city
folks, men and women, all
found fascination and ex
citement last week during
the 30th annual Thresher
men’s Reunion, held at the
Rough and Tumble
Engineers Histori.al
Association’s grounds and
museum, here. The 4-day
event, which was held under
nearly perfect weather for
each of the four days, even
impressed television
executives enough to send a
fun crew for a half day. The
result was a several minute
presentation on the NBC
Nightly News program last
Friday evening. Features
also appeared in The New
York Times and
Philadelphia Inquirer, as
well as numerous local
publications and several
broadcasting stations.
More than a score of an
tique smoke-belching steam
traction engines delighted
crowds which were
estimated at about 10,000 for
the four days. Some of the
earliest models of tractors
powered by internal com
bustion engines were also in
operation. Their strange
shapes, sizes, and noises
fascinated onlookers, many
of whom were here for the
first time.
For those not turned on by
mechanical horsepower, (a
certain unlikelihood at this
annual event) a few
exhibitors had teams of
horses and oxen on hand. In
addition, there were scores
of stationary engines and a
wide variety of antique farm
equipment Early models of
washing machines, butter
chums, coolers, and pumps
were also in action.
As would be expected,
organizing this annual
celebration and show is no
small task. A group of 17
devoted men who make up
the board of directors and
officers of the Rough and
Tumble Engineers
Historical Association are at
the core of organizational
efforts. They’re in charge of
numerous committees which
bring about the final project:
one of the most impressive
steam and antique farm
equipment shows in the
W*<!t
Wilmer J. Eshelman, announcer for events at Rough and Tumble, stands next
to a steam engine which boasts a 12-foot diameter flywheel. The heavy unit
packs an unknown number of horsepower. Dimensions include an 18-inch bore,
and 48-inch stroke. The machine was formerly used to power a paper mill in
Maryland.
Please send me color catalog on the Cherokee horse stock trailers and GN flatbeds
Address
I Phone J
State
Zip
“Just to get the parade
together is quite a task,”
admits Amos Stauffer, the
organizations modest, easy
mannered, but hard working
president. The parade he
referred to took place each
afternoon and featured some
85 to 90 pieces of equipment.
They all passed the
reviewing stand while
camera shutters clicked and
home movie cameras
hummed. 1 '”
Although the organization
has been hampered in years
past by burdensome debts,
Stauffer says that current
liabilities are being paid off
in good fashion. Nonetheless,
the association and museum
continue to seek support for
improvements and ad
ditions.
When strength,
economical space
and beauty
are combined ...
With Rigidply Laminated Rafters you get
a lot more than a quality farm building
First, all of your inside space is useful,
with a clear span from floor to ridge
Second, you have maximum resistance to
wind and snow because laminated rafters
are far stronger than the wood itself
Third, the attractive arches provide all
of the roof support, while providing you
with complete freedom for a more efficient
interior designed to your very own needs
Rigidply Rafters, Inc.
Telephone: (717) 866-6581
P 0 BOX 189 A RICHLAND RD 1, PA 17087 -
(301) 334-3977 OAKLAND RD 2, MD 21550 •
One of the improvements
Stauffer and his association
have in mind is an
enlargement of the museum
which houses stationary
steam engines. Their largest
model, which boasts a 12-foot
diameter flywheel, is
currently out-of doors.
“We’d like to extend the
building and have it under*
roof,” Stauffer
Another proposed project
would allow the organization
to feature a permanent and
ongoing • threshermen’s
display. Complete with live
steam, the addition is ex
pected to draw attention
from area residents as well
as thousands of tourists who
come through Lancaster
County each Summer.
(Turn to Page 57)