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SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

BALDWIN COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM is especially proud of their FEATURED EXHIBITS. One of these monthly displays is SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

 

Most people collect things. It may be family photographs, wine, recipes or old coins. The list of collectible items would compete with the length of the average dictionary. People gather things that are important to them. It is a way to preserve special feelings, family history, ethnic and cultural heritage. Without collectors, museums would loose one of their most valuable resources for antiquities. While today’s contemporary collectables may not be ‘vintage’ pieces, they are tomorrows antiques. Understanding the value of these collectors, BCHM welcomes their participation in the museum.

 

Betty Somer is the chairwoman for this project. She and her volunteer’s interview and photograph local residents of Baldwin County who are willing to share their collections with the public. Each individual collection is displayed in the museum for one month and featured on the museums web site for three months. If you are interested in participating in this project, contact Ms. Somer at mailto:bchm@gulftel.com

MILESTONES

BCHM WINDMILL RESTORED

 

Saturday, November 26,2007 marked another milestone in the history of Baldwin County Heritage Museum. Our windmill, damaged in October of 2004 by hurricane Ivan was reassembled and is now in operating condition. The windmill  is the logo and symbol of BCHM.  Baldwin County Heritage Museum relies on donations, grants and gifts to operate.  It is staffed entirely by volunteers. A calamity such as the damaged windmill is a major issue for this institution.
 
Charles Ebert , Jr., owner of  Ebert Insurance Agency of Foley has worked to keep the windmill in good order over the years and he provided the funds for this newest restoration. Ralph Veller, BCHM Vice Chair has spearheaded this project. The repair work has been done by Stacy Hussey of Elba, Alabama. John Schaff owner of  Foley Implement Co. of Foley  loaned the lift to raise the workers to the correct height. Lawrence Le Gault owner of  Boom &  Bucket Truck Crane Service of Orange Beach donated the use of his crane to lift the repaired unit  to the top of the tower. BCHM is deeply grateful for these men. Without their donations of  time, equipment and money the repairs could not have been made.
 
John &  Ruby Haupt donated the funds to purchase the windmill an Aeromoter that was purchased from Mueller Pump, Conway, AR in 1985. They requested it be dedicated to their parents: Paul & Marie Haupt and Henry & Frances Vickers.
 
Bon Secour Fisheries brought the windmill to the museum on one of their company trucks. Southern Farm Supply provided the crane to erect the windmill tower. Alms Pump Service put the well down. Original volunteers that helped erect the windmill included Larry Engle, Steve Bailey, Richard Peterson, Joe Bouzan, Charles Koehler Jr., Charlie Ebert, Jr., Ronnie Torres & Godbee Smith.
 
photo7224:Stacy Hussy attaching the repaired windmill to the tower
photo 7231: Stach Hussy wife & daughters, Ralph Veller - BCHM Vice Chair, Lawrence Le Gault, Carl Chandler - BCHM Board Member....Job Well Done!!!
 
 

 
Saturday, November 26,2007 marked another milestone in the history of Baldwin County Heritage Museum. Our windmill, damaged in October of 2004 by hurricane Ivan was reassembled and is now in operating condition. The windmill  is the logo and symbol of BCHM.  Baldwwin County Heritage Museum relies on donations, grants and gifts to operate.  It is staffed entirely by volunteers. A calamity such as the damaged windmill is a major issue for this institution.
 
Charles Ebert , Jr., owner of  Ebert Insurance Agency of Foley has worked to keep the windmill in good order over the years and he provided the funds for this newest restoration. Ralph Veller, BCHM Vice Chair has spearheaded this project. The repair work has been done by Stacy Hussey of Elba, Alabama. John Schaff owner of  Foley Implement Co. of Foley  loaned the lift to raise the workers to the correct height. Lawrence Le Gault owner of  Boom &  Bucket Truck Crane Service of Orange Beach donated the use of his crane to lift the repaired unit  to the top of the tower. BCHM is deeply grateful for these men. Without their donations of  time, equipment and money the repairs could not have been made.
 
John &  Ruby Haupt donated the funds to purchase the windmill an Aeromoter that was purchased from Mueller Pump, Conway, AR in 1985. They requested it be dedicated to their parents: Paul & Marie Haupt and Henry & Frances Vickers.
 
Bon Secour Fisheries brought the windmill to the museum on one of their company trucks. Southern Farm Supply provided the crane to erect the windmill tower. Alms Pump Service put the well down. Original volunteers that helped erect the windmill included Larry Engle, Steve Bailey, Richard Peterson, Joe Bouzan, Charles Koehler Jr., Charlie Ebert, Jr., Ronnie Torres & Godbee Smith.
 
photo7224:Stacy Hussy attaching the repaired windmill to the tower
photo 7231: Stach Hussy wife & daughters, Ralph Veller - BCHM Vice Chair, Lawrence Le Gault, Carl Chandler - BCHM Board Member....Job Well Done!!!
 
 

 

International Harvester 1911 TITAN TRACTOR

                           

International Harvester 1911 TITAN TRACTOR  type “D” , was donated to the Baldwin County Heritage Museum by the Heidelberg Family of Silverhill.  

The tractor was originally purchased to build roads in Baldwin County. Around 1926, the tractor was used by the Heidelberg family to power a saw mill near Marlow. It remained in use until the early 70’s, then stood, abandoned at the edge of the forest until transported to the museum in 1991. 

Many of the restored parts of the tractor were missing when it was removed from the location of the sawmill. The front axle, steering mechanism, clutch levers, clutch controls and linkage were gone. The sheet metal units, including the radiator assembly, fenders and fuel tank were rusted beyond repair

The Titan was the king of the Western Prairies. It could pull 4 plows. The East used them for road work because there wasn't enough room to use it in the field. 

International made the Titan's in Milwaukee Works and the Mogals in the Chicago Works. The Titan was a bit better machine. The Titans sold for about $2,000. Today, unrestored and not working, they bring $83,000 to 85,000.

There were 1400 tractors originally manufactured. Today, there are 2 running "original condition" Titans owned by the Reynolds museum in Alberta, Canada and Mike Burns. Doug Janson, John Pissey, a fellow in Washington State, Leroy A. Baumgardner Jr. from PA and BCHM are the other proud owners of working machines plus 4 more in Canada for a total of 11 working machines on this continent.

Charles Ebert, Jr., arranged with Riveria Utilities, to transport the tractor from Marlow to Elberta.  

The Hetchler Crane Co., provided the crane to load and unload the tractor. Restoration was accomplished through the  volunteer efforts of the following winter visitors and Alabama residents:

Le Roy Baumgaudner , a Titan owner  directed Bud Motry to another Titan owner, John Pissy, in Crosby, ND for the front axle assembly.  He told Bud not to dicker on the price -  that this was a mean old coot! He recalls the asking price was $1200 but doesn't remember what we actually paid

Mike Burns , another Titan owner in South Carolina made the wheel lugs
 Harold Audoway in Wichitaw Kansas helped with engine parts.
Dennis Aluminum Products of Foley manufactured and donated the fuel tank
 Schoen Plumbing of Foley fabricated the sheet metal radiator.
Little Machine Shop of Foley donated some welding and machine work
 Bobby BcGowan Industrial Oil Field Service, Brookhaven, Miss. Refinished and donated the head valve seats and valves.
 

Restoration Volunteers:
· Bud Motry – Big Rapids, MI
 · Bill Thompson – Indian Lake, NY
 · Gordon Ireland – Bramalea, Ontario
· Don Grant – Bramalea, Ontario
 · John Myers – Halton Hills, Ontario
 · Charles Ebert, Jr. – Foley, AL
 · Dale Kenworthy – Magnolia Springs, AL

 

 

Farmall F12

 

FARMALL F12 BEFORE

 

FARMALL F12 AFTER

 

Only 25 models of the Farmall F-12 were produced in 1932 by The International Harvester Co. After this initial sample production the numbers rose to a total of 123,407 pieces. Production ended in 1938 when the more powerful F-14 was introduced.

 

Like all Farmall tractors this little one could turn on a dime. It had an adjustable rear tread, could pull a two-bottom plow, was easy to handle and ideal for light farm chores. It was one of the most economical tractors ever made. On an average load it only used 2 quarts of gasoline per hour.

 

BCHM is grateful for the restoration work of Roy Potter on this artifact. 

 

If a Farmall F-12 played a role in your farming history in Baldwin County, we hope you will share your photos and stories with the museum

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