The American Tractor Museum

By Larry Scheckel
Updated on July 11, 2024
article image
by Larry Scheckel
Note the sign above a doorway of the American Tractor Museum; the word ‘Tractor’ is spelled out using tractor parts.

The American Tractor Museum at Perryville, Missouri, population 8,600, is a must-visit destination if you’re an old-iron or tractor aficionado. Perryville, seven miles west of the Mississippi River and 70 miles south of St. Louis, is easily accessible off I-55.

Perryville and Perry County were named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the Naval hero of the War of 1812. Churches outnumber taverns, and it’s been tabbed as the “Best Place to Live In” for the state of Missouri. Perryville’s high school teams are dubbed the Pirates, but the people are welcoming and friendly.

The American Tractor Museum opened in August 2020, founded by Arley Berkbuegler and Kenny Buchheit. Arley was an iron worker for many years, is a  mechanical genius, and has earned a steam engine certification. Kenny is the second generation of Buchheit, Inc. which has multiple divisions, including an Agri Division, a feed manufacturer; Buchheit Retail, a string of farm supply stores; and Buchheit Logistics, a trucking and warehouse company; and a metals and cabinetry division.

Arley and Kenny are long-standing pillars of what Perryville calls “the 573 community,” after the phone area code. The museum displays 80 years of innovation, from the 1890s to the early 1970s, all under one roof and magnificently displayed. The presentation, artwork, and backdrops are outstanding.

Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388