The 45th Annual show of the Maryland Steam Historical Society was held September 14-17, 2000, on the grounds of the Arcadia Fire Department in Upperco, Maryland. We could not have asked for better weather to serve up a big slice of steam history.
The grounds were packed with equipment and spectators, especially Saturday and Sunday. There were six full size steam traction engines, three portables and two steam rollers, although the Buffalo Springfield roller owned by the Society was still down for repairs. The traction engines are the charge of Jerry Lucabaugh, and the steam building is a joint effort by Paul Towner, John Barry, Bob Dreyer, Dave Miller and crew. We also had several model steam engines to go with our stationary engine display. In addition to our stationary engines, our vertical boiler also provides steam to the soup kitchen where homemade soups are made in large kettles under the watchful eye of Head Chef Ed Crooks.
In our tractor and farm machinery section, overseen by Harold Strauss, we were featuring Farmall with over sixty of those registered by Will Saunders, and we had a total of 365 tractors registered by Robin Wisner, along with 128 garden tractors. Four hundred and fifteen gas hit & miss engines were on the hill, handled by Ken Warehime. We had over 120 antique cars and trucks, and Rick Walter took charge of these. We have daily parades of the engines and tractors. The antique vehicle parade is on Saturday only. Carroll Price handles the tractor pull and Roger Yarger does the garden tractor pull. There is also country music on Friday and Saturday nights and a Sunday morning worship service.
Our consignment sale on Thursday continues to be a success for the Society. This is handled by Rick Walter and auctioneer Nevin Tasto and his crew. One area that just seems to grow year after year is our flea market. If you can’t find something to buy on the grounds, you were not looking! Henry Homer never has a problem filling up the spaces. And as always, there is plenty of food found around the grounds to keep the hunger away. This is overseen by Lonnie Dooley. The man who oversees everything is our president, Donald Warehime.
Valued old-timer Benny Wirts is one of the men responsible for setting up our stationary steam engine building. Even with failing health, he comes out and hangs out with the steam guys and we always manage to get him a tour of the grounds on a golf cart.
In conjunction with our 45th anniversary, we had a book published, titled Steaming into the New Millennium. This 130-plus page book is full of photographs, biographies, and excerpts from meeting-minutes from over the years. This project was done by Bonnie G. Towner, with the help of several members, including her husband Paul. The book sells for $12.00 plus S&H. At this time, we are busy planning for the 46th show, and it will feature Hercules engines. This will be handled by Bob Wickline. We hope to see you at Arcadia.
Anyone with questions can contact the Maryland Steam Historical Society or me, David A. Miller, at wmry202@yahoo.com.
