Director of Development Oldmsted County Historical Society
County Road 122 S.W.P.O. Box 6411 Rochester, Minnesota 55903
On the weekend of July 26-27, 1986, the Olmsted County
Historical Society in Rochester, Minnesota, will hold their twelfth
annual Mechanical History and Steam Threshing Show. The annual
event is organized by the 100-member Mechanical History special
The event is held on the 160 acre grounds of the George and
Ralph Stoppel Farms, owned by the Historical Society and located on
the southwest edge of Rochester. Features of the show include steam
plowing and threshing, antique gas tractors and engines, an antique
tractor pull, craft demonstrations, a flea market and consignment
auction. Food and beverages, as well as plenty of free parking are
available on the grounds. Approximately 6,000 people attended the
two-day show in 1985. Proceeds of the show are used in the
restoration of the farms and maintenance of antique agricultural
equipment owned by the Historical Society.
Equipment featured in last year’s show, and expected for the
1986 event, include Eryln Iverson’s 20 HP Russell steamer, Curt
Leighty’s 25 HP double-cylinder Gaar-Scott steamer, Dr. Cleon
Holland’s 25 HP Nichols & Shepard steamer and Roger
Byrne’s single cylinder Fairbanks-Morse gas tractor. These
large field engines are used to demonstrate threshing and plowing
during the event.
