Steam Threshers

If you like history, you need to mark your calendar for the third weekend in July for the Miami Valley Steam Threshers in Plain City, Ohio. My husband and I go every year.

If you don't know what Steam Threshers are, don't be too worried. Unless you were around at the beginning of the last century or know a lot about the history of the industrial revolution in America, then you probably wouldn't. Steam threshers, at least in the context of this festival, are machines that ran on coal and wood to produce steam in order to power the engine of whatever piece of equipment was being used.

At this particular show, they have things set up in sections all over the park. There is also a large flea market scattered throughout where you can find anything from old farm tools and engines, to hand planes, to Mary Kay. You really don't know what you'll find.

This year there were several vendors with hand planes and other wood working tools, so Nick was in heaven going through all the various items. He managed to find a damaged plane with replacement parts he needed, a saw vice, and a 5 1/5 Stanley plane.

There is a section in the back set up with some of the old engines. These are engines that are not attached to any piece of equipment, but are in working order and during peek times, the owners have them fired up and running for people to see.

There is also a section set up for tractors. Row upon row of all different types of tractors. Little ones, big ones...it doesn't matter. They are everywhere.



Another highlight of the festival is the sawmill. Ever wonder how logs were cut into usable boards around the turn of the century?



It is an amazing sight and people crowd around the action whenever it is up and running.

One more picture I wanted to share with you. I took this near the sawmill demonstration. These three boys are playing with pieces of coal. They are getting completely filthy and having a great time doing it!