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from the issue of July 14, 2005
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Tractor museum continues work toward pulling its own weight
BY KATIE WILL, FOR THE SCARLET
EDITOR'S NOTE - This is one in a series of stories composed by students in "Advertising and Public Relations Techniques" at UNL. The class is taught by Phyllis Larsen, assistant professor.
On the north side of UNL's East Campus rests an inconspicuous, flat-roofed, slightly run-down looking building.
In sharp contrast to the west is a well-kept, concrete oval track with trimmed trees growing in the middle.
With rusty, out-of-date tractors dotting the landscape, a small sign reads, "The Lester Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum," identifying the two structures as an integral part of farming history.
In 1919 the Nebraska Legislature passed the Nebraska Tractor Test Law that states all tractors must meet their advertised claims. This law came about after W.F. Crozier, a member of the legislature, purchased what proved to be a poorly made Ford B tractor in 1918. In the 86 years since the passage of the law, the tractor test lab has assessed more than 1,800 tractors and has become the premier tractor-testing laboratory in the nation.
"The tractor test lab was very important when it came about and really changed the tractor industry," said Scott Easterly, a farmer from Sidney, Neb. "It's still important because it's a non-biased authority that doesn't just measure power, but also fuel economy and efficiency."
The building, however, has not evolved to modern times quite as well as the tests conducted there. The site of the first tractor test in 1920, the building has been dubbed a historic landmark by the Society of Agricultural Engineers. Time has been hard on the building and space is another issue as exhibit quality and the quantity of artifacts have grown.
Recently, the museum began a fundraising effort to gather money to renovate the current tractor museum and to make a nearby smaller building suitable for public viewing of the tractors. They plan to continue with these efforts and others to hopefully spark public interest.
Eventually, volunteers hope the museum will become self-sufficient.
For now, it will remain a quiet building, full of Nebraska history, just waiting for its chance to shine again.
GO TO: ISSUE OF JULY 14
NEWS HEADLINES FOR JULY 14
Foursome aids actors
Bombings fail to halt UNL travels
Museum celebrates gift with Discovery Center renovation
University makes switch to alternative fuels
A Piece of University History
Milliken lauds Unicameral commitment to NU
OLLI program fosters lifelong learning
Tractor museum continues work toward pulling its own weight
University dedicates new research facility
UNL delegation presents book to tribes
UNL, UNMC join forces for Bio 2005 convention
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