A Power-Up! is an opportunity to see motive power in action. We run the three Fairbanks-Morse engines on the grounds
and in the barn. The tractors come out as do the other farm implements and are on display. The air-compressor runs
throughout the day to provide starting power for the stationary engines.
The Pratt & Whitney R4360 is started up at least twice during each show and is a real attention-getter. Stand back
and get ready to hear 28 cylinders turning over and pushing the test prop around to create an impressive (and oily!) prop wash.
We have one to three shows a year.
Our annual show happens on the second Saturday in July, so mark next year's calender now! People are invited to exhibit and share their own motive power possessions.
We welcome car, radio, engine, steam clubs and robot and scout troops to share their enthusiasm for the history of technology with us. If you have something to show, please contact us.
The shows are put on by volunteers - and it takes a lot of folks to make a show. If you'd like to volunteer, we have restoration projects, grounds to keep up, interior displays to design and maintain, newsletter articles, mailings and fundraising activities.
Each show day starts at 10:00 a.m. with eager folks lined up to get into the barn or walk around the grounds. Exhibitors start arriving and setting up around 9:00 a.m. and operate their machines until we close down at 4:00 in the afternoon. While the museum is open to all ages, it isn't suited to small children as there are a number of moving parts to these old machines and care must be taken to ensure everyone's safety. Children are inquisitive and may not be aware of dangers, so we ask that if you bring small children, you take responsibility and keep a close eye on them for their own safety.
There's no fee for the show, but we ask that you contribute a donation to keep our doors open. We have real expenses like utilities, rent and fuel to operate the exhibits. In addition, restoration costs are substantial because we may have to fabricate something or buy hard-to-find parts.
So, check in a few times a year, and note down the next Power-Up! so you won't miss the fun!
Here's the Press Democrat story on our Power-Up held on July 10, 2010.