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Oklahoma Museum Preserves State's Ag History

The joy derived from collecting and restoring vintage farm classics is sometimes tempered by the inability to properly house and display those treasures. In Elk City, Okla., though, the Oklahoma Farm and Ranch Museum has met that challenge.

The only museum in Oklahoma dedicated solely to farming and ranching, the Elk City collection is the culmination of Bill Grissom's dream.

'I saw machinery my grandfather used, rusting and ruined,' Bill said. 'I knew if somebody didn't do something fairly soon, nothing would be left for my grandchildren to see. Then it occurred to me: That someone would have to be me.'

Bill's dream took root when the Western Oklahoma Historical Foundation made a gift of $50,000 in seed money. A new red barn rose on land donated by the city, and pieces from Bill's private collection and others were moved in. The doors opened last year, and an army of volunteers went to work.

'Keeping the doors open is our main concern,' Bill said. 'But we've averaged 40 visitors daily. Thaf s a good start.'

Visitors to the facility find a broad collection that includes a full dozen rare pieces. Some are restored; others show their age. A1919 Case thresher is the largest piece in the museum. At a special event this fall, the old giant will be cranked into gear.

'It will make a racket,' Bill said, 'but people will get to see it in action.'

The collection also includes two Rumelys: A Rumely Oil Pull from the teens, and an Advance Rumely thresher from 1918.

Four restored tractors are on display (two Deeres and two Farmalls), as well as a wide variety of farm equipment and machinery. There is, for instance, a full blacksmith shop with two forges, wheel-rim stretchers and a full line of farrier equipment The shop has a working cistern to catch roof run-off, complete with a wellhead and pulley cups.

Vintage windmills also are displayed inside and out: A1917 Dempster #6 open-gear, a 1904 Currie on a wooden tower, a 1919 Morrison, and a 1930s-vintage Aermotor. The latter is used to pump water for a stock tank, illustrating a critical component of early ranching.

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