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We are happy to report that construction of the new restroom-shower
facility is back on track and construction has resumed! All of the permits are in order, the tanks have been
set, the drywell is in, the underfloor plumbing has been completed, the floor is down, and the walls are up. Present
time schedule calls for the building to be completed by the time we open for 2011. When finished, this facility will greatly
improve the farm's ability to host group outings, meetings, concerts and theatrical productions. Keep
your eye on this page to see the progress as it continues.
Advance
Steam Engine
We are very pleased to announce
that a 20 horsepower Advance Steam Traction Engine now makes its permanent home at Wellington Farm, USA. The
engine was built by the Advance Thresher Company of Battle Creek, Michigan in 1914. The engine is in excellent working
condition and most weekends you can find it huffing and puffing at the sawmill, with a thresher or steaming corn for hungry
visitors. The Advance Steam Engine will be leading the Big Machinery Parade at the Wellington Tractor and Engine Show
on August 26, 27, & 28th, 2011.
| 1914 Advance Steam Engine |
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| This engine now resides at Wellington Farm, |
Thursday evening, September 10,
2010 was a significant time at Wellington Farm, USA. On that evening, 29 tractor enthusiasts and their spouses
got together and formed the Wellington Antique Tractor and Engine Association. The
group elected a slate of officers to steer the new organization and appointed a Constitution and By-Laws Committee to deal
with the legalities of the association. They established their regular meeting times at 7:00 p.m. on the second
Thursday of the month with no meetings being held in December, 2010 and February, 2011. This new organization
will take over the Wellington Tractor and Engine Show as well as any other activities involving tractors and engines that
are held at Wellington Farm, USA. The group always welcomes new members and extends an invitation to anyone who likes
old tractors to join them as they launch this very unique association. The new president, Carl Hunt,
can be reached at mafd102@hotmail.com or additional information can be obtained by signing into the guest book on the home page of this website. The
next meeting of the club will be on Thursday, January 14, 2011 at the Grayling Moose Lodge.
| Our First Field of Spelt |
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| This crop of spelt will be ground into flour on the New South Mill. |
| 1923 New South Stone Burr Mill |
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| This mill is now grinding cornmeal and flour in the WellingtonnGrist Mill. |
Museum To Open - Spring 2011!
As
things stand, everything should be completed so that our planned Museum can be available for visitors to see before the Summer
2011 Season sets in. The Museum will be housed in the building that was formerly our Farm Market. Of great
historical significance, it was the first building constructed at the Higgins Lake Nursery by the Civilian Conseervation
Corps.
The first major display in the new Museum will be a presentation of the plow and it's importance
to the development of modern agriculture. Several different plow displays will be featured. A beautiful mural
of a team of draft horses was provided for us by local artist Terry Dickenson. Be sure to experience this unique museum
when you visit us, included with your general park admission.
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| Mural painted by artist Terry Dickenson which adorns one of the walls in our new museum. |
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