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| The Friends organization
developed from the Antique Farm Machinery and Equipment Commission
established by the Nebraska State Legislature in 1988. |
| It was in 1991 that a committee
was formed to create a museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
for education,
preservation, and exhibition of the development of agricultural
power. The scope of interest was to highlight tractor power,
but also strive to encompass all sources of power, including
that from human hands, draft animals, steam engines, along
with power from electrical, hydraulic, solar, wind, and biomass
sources. |
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The committee established the historic
Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory as the location for the museum.
The first official
Nebraska Tractor Test was started in this building March 31st,
1920, on the Waterloo Boy. These pioneer tests became worldwide
standards and are recognized by the American Society of Agricultural
Engineers as a Historic Landmark of Agricultural Engineering.
This building was also established as a cherished Shrine of Agriculture
by Successful Farming. |
Prior to museum development, the historic Nebraska
Tractor Test Laboratory faced major renovation to replace the
building’s
collapsing roof. To accomplish this task, the Friends Organization
was established in 1994 to raise the needed funds to renovate
the
building. This
organization
was officially registered with the State of Nebraska and the
City of Lincoln as a non-profit corporation. |
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In 1998, renovation was complete and the Tractor
Test Museum was officially dedicated and named to honor Lester
F.
Larsen, the Chief Engineer for the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory
from 1946 to 1975. Mr. Larsen was instrumental in initiating
the collection of historic tractor test equipment, as well as
acquiring tractors that illustrate the key developments in agricultural
mechanization over the decades. |
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Our
Story