The importance of steam machinery may not be known in the modern age, but Hesston Steam Museum offers a chance to learn about steam railroads and industrial age machines.
The LaPorte County Historical Steam Society presents the Hesston Steam & Power Show Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Attractions include riding behind a 67-ton 1929 Shay logging locomotive, a replica 1900s train depot, the LaPorte County Courthouse’s first electric generator plant and threshing demonstrations.
“We’ll have tractors from all eras. We’ll have a steam sawmill cutting logs into lumber. We’ll have an electronic power plant run on steam. We’ve got a huge crane that will be in operation,” said Ted Rita, general manager of Hesston Steam Museum.
“We’ll also have three different railroads that people can ride. Most of the locomotives will be steam-powered.”
One of the new attractions at the 62nd annual Hesston Steam & Power Show is Eric Best of Wanatah debuting his 1913 International Harvester Mogul 30-60 tractor, which weighs approximately 23,000 pounds.
“It’s one of seven left in the world. It’s a really unique piece. It shows the evolution of making farming easer for the farmer so they could produce more food to the growing population of the cities back in the time period,” Rita said.
“Everybody seems to know about those steam locomotives but the unsung hero of this country is the steam tractor because it allowed farmers to be able to plow ground that was never able to be plowed with horses or mules.
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“The prairie sod way out West in the Plains states had ground so tough you needed a mechanized machine to plow through the ground. Back around the turn of the century these steam tractor engines were invented. You’ve heard of ‘amber waves of grain.’ These steam tractors made it possible.”
The Hesston Steam & Power Show also features traditional festival treats, fresh eats from a steam-powered popcorn machine, Doc’s Soda Fountain where one can watch cool treats made the old-fashioned way, and a flea market including antiques, railroad memorabilia and arts and crafts.
“We want to provide a quality experience. What that means is we want to entertain and we want to educate. We want people to have fun so that’s really our goal. We always say ‘we bring families together and history to life,’” Rita said.
“It’s not just the families that are at the museum. It’s the families that are involved in the museum too. It’s a great way for our volunteer families to stay together. I’m a great example. I’m right in the middle of three generations.”
Rita started helping at the museum three decades ago when his father, Frank Rita from Michigan City, was helping restore the Shay logging locomotive. Ted Rita headed the locomotive’s second restoration in 1985 after an engine house fire. Now Ted Rita’s son Avery Rita, 7, also helps at the museum.
“We have amazing volunteers of all facets and age groups. This group of people have this love of machinery and come together to make this museum work. It really couldn’t happen without them,” Ted Rita said.
“You can look at a locomotive in a book and you can read about it on the internet but until it rumbles by you haven’t experienced it.”
Hesston Steam & Power Show
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 3
Where: Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E. 1000 North, Hesston
Cost: Admission: $5 adults or free ages 12 and younger; Train fares: $5 adults, $3 ages 3-12 or free ages 2 and younger; half-price for seniors on Aug. 31
Information: 219-778-2783; www.hesston.org