Summer 2024

June 2024 Show: Biggest Yet?

By Paul Harvey

Wow!!  Sometimes an author has to deviate a bit from his plans, and I am doing so now.  Our recent Spring Exposition & Flea Market in June was more than fantastic!  So, I really have to tell you about it.  The weather was fantastic.  OK, a little rain Friday morning, but that was dust control!  It might well be our biggest and best event ever.  Let’s see what happened.

It seems that the show moves earlier each year, and unfortunately ends earlier.  I guess this is a trend almost everywhere.  By Tuesday, the show grounds were almost completely filled.  With the balmy weather, there was a very laid back and relaxed evening to begin the show.  Little camp fires were here and there, as folks exchanged their engine stories.  So nice!

Viewing the museum grounds about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, we have an excellent attendance.  The sky promises some nice weather as the clouds move off to the east.  The 20+ acres of nicely mowed fields are filled with 300+ exhibitors, showing their finest and offering some goodies for sale.

Business was brisk and all seemed happy with their new toys.  There was a lot of engine selling, trading, and buying, which is fun to watch.  I bought a Friend Sprayer Engine and am delighted.  Note the flea market is in the adjoining area and offers anything imaginable.

So, let’s tour about tonight and also during the show to see what we find.  I was truly impressed!  Having done this so many years, I don’t think I have ever seen so many engines.  From the rare to the common, they were all here and wonderfully displayed.  So many in operation, and I am equally fascinated watching both a Maytag and an Otto.  They all have their place in our enthusiasm for the internal combustion engine.

The Museum has its regular “flea market” area, and it was full of all kinds of goodies.  It seemed to do a lively business.  Of course, the food court was always busy with our usual four vendors serving all kinds of yummies.  I like trying them all!  Many of our exhibitors also are vendors and have all kinds of engine and related items.  It’s a great place to buy that oiler, magneto, or other part that you have always needed!  Some great vendors set up here to supply all the needs of restoration, and the tools to do it.  Anyway, it is always fun to look, browse, and bargain!

The museum’s Gifts and Souvenirs Shop staff did a fantastic job, and at the end of the show, only one T-shirt remained.  But it will be stocked again for History Day in July!  The shop has an interesting history as it was originally Nolph’s Handle Shop, constructed in 1882.  All kinds of wooden handles were made here; from shovels to hammers.  The walls were filled with sawdust for insulation. After many uses then abandonment, we moved it to our site for a new life.  The shop is probably one of the oldest structures in Coolspring.

Coolspring Power Museum features over 30 buildings on 40 acres. One can spend a weekend here and not see it all.  Our great volunteer engineers keep a lot of the engines running for all to appreciate.  The huge, 600 hp Snow is run several times each day; and is always a joy to see.  The above 8 hp Mogul was resurrected for the show and now resides in the Friends Exhibition Hall.  It is entirely original and runs so sweet!  Note the original olive-green paint that was revealed after several kerosene baths.

As one wanders about the grounds, many such treats as this can be found!  We prefer to preserve as much of the original finish as possible.

So many exhibitors bring their finest and the joy of their collection. This 16 hp Cummins, model F, is a treasure. Owned and displayed by Gordon Jones of Williamsport, Ohio, it was built to light the yacht, Spray III, of Henry B. Joy, president of Packard Motor Car Company.  Unique to this engine, many parts were made from aluminum to minimize weight.  It runs flawlessly.  So many of our exhibitors bring their finest to display.

This very early White and Middleton engine arrived just before the show, and will now live here.  It dates back to 1896, and still operates superbly.  I have always liked these engines’ appearance with their graceful tall, spindly flywheels and high vertical lines of the frame.  With all the brightly finished parts and vertical governor, these old machines mixed beauty with functionality.  A joy to behold!

All things finally must end, and so the great show must come to a conclusion.  Unfortunately, so many vendors and exhibitors left early Saturday, to the disappointment of many guests.  But our staff kept most of the museum engines running for the enjoyment of the late comers.  It all ended well, and I think the museum staff and our guests were well satisfied.

Tired from a long and exciting week, Saturday evening was a time to relax!  All our volunteers have done a superb job for the museum.  So, we have a catered dinner in the Friends Exhibition Hall, which is filled with picnic tables.  Each table is covered in white with a nice centerpiece.  This year, we enjoyed brisket and chicken, grilled right here, from Meatheads in Brookville.  Of course, all the other goodies were provided.  About 85 attended and all enjoyed the relaxation and friendship!

But, sometimes the best is the last!  At the conclusion of the great dinner, several folks brought the biggest surprise!  Although my birthday is not until July 6, Marilyn and I were presented with this great cake and overwhelmed with all the well wishes.  What a wonderful conclusion to a great show!!!!!