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The
year was 1981 when a group of individuals brought together their ideas for an
antique farm show along side the festivities at the Preble Fireman’s Park.
This first year’s exhibits included antique tractors, gas engines and
antique cars. These individuals had a great time reminiscing about their antique
vehicles and thought this would be a good way to share with the community. Thus
the organization of the Wheels
of Yesteryear Antique Club Inc.
was initiated and the planning for incorporating began. During
1982, the leaders of the newly organized club advertised seeking additional
members and antique vehicles to participate in local shows and festivities. An
antique Farm Power and Auto Show was a special feature for the Adams County
Ag-A-Rama held in Monroe. Several units were on display by the Wheels of
Yesteryear Antique Club members and included demonstrations in plowing and
disking. Another prominent activity was the Decatur downtown merchant sidewalk
sale in which the Wheels of Yesteryear Antique Club members had tractors lined
up down the middle of the street with autos parked along each side. Many
activities started in the first years are still seen at the show 25 years later.
A baker fan, threshing machine, shredder, gas engines, antique autos and
tractors are on display and participate in demonstrations. A
Certificate of Corporation signed on July 28th, 1983 was received
from the State of Indiana, Office of the Secretary of State and signed by then
Secretary of State, Edwin J. Simcox, certifying that the Articles of
Incorporating as a not-for-profit organization conform to the law prescribed by
the Indiana Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of 1971. The By-laws for the Wheels
of Yesteryear Antique Club Inc. were established. THE NAME In the Articles of Corporation approved and filed on July 28, 1983, Article I states the name as: ****
Wheels
of Yesteryear Antique Club, Inc. THE PURPOSE
The Purpose of the club under Article II of the Articles of Corporation reads as such: “To
promote and encourage interest in the ownership of antique vehicles, machinery
and equipment, early American life, participation in antique shows, and good
will among members of the Corporation.” The
Wheels of Yesteryear logo was designed and adopted by the original members for
distinction and recognition of the club. The logo includes a gas engine flywheel
and a John Deere Model D. The signs on the flywheel spokes designate the
objectives of the club being organized.
HOME
OF THE SHOW Beginning in 1981, the original home for the Wheels of Yesteryear show was located in Preble, Indiana, at the Preble Fireman’s Park and was held in a joint effort with the Preble Fire Department’s established festival activities. As the club continued to grow, it was recognized that the participation was getting to large to continue being held at Fireman’s Park and the move to Bluffton and the Wells County 4-H Park was made for the 1995 Antique Power Show. The Wheels of Yesteryear Antique Club, Inc. continues to promote and exhibit the original intent of the organization with an annual show and participation in other community events. Each year hundreds of community members locally and from surrounding states visit the show to see antique farm tractors and equipment, antique vehicles, a living pioneer village, quilt display, tractor pulls and games, harvest demonstrations, gas engine displays, garden tractors, flea market, and food vendors. Several businesses and individuals within the community support the organization as we continue each year to follow the footsteps of those whose vision became a reality. |
