Grayling Visitors Bureau

Tucked away in the Machine Shed storage building at Wellington Farm near Grayling is a gift from a well established and well known historical complex, Sauder Village of Archbald, Ohio The gift is a threshing machine manufactured by the Advance Thresher Company of Battle Creek, Michigan in the late 1880’s and is one of the first threshing machines produced by that company. The thresher is in excellent condition and is considered to be a rare and significant piece of agricultural history. Wellington Farm is honored to be chosen as the recipient of such an example of early Americana. The artifact is important because it not only represents a significant chapter in the history of Michigan agriculture but also represents the importance of an industry that was based upon the production of equipment used on Michigan farms. The Advance Thresher Company also produced steam engines which were used as a power source for the threshers. Wellington Farm is also the home of a 1914 20 horsepower Advance Steam Traction Engine. This engine is in running condition and can often be seen in operation at the 60-acre living history farm.

The Advance Thresher and Traction Engine are just two of many rare artifacts which are housed at Wellington Farm. Unfortunately, at the present time, the Advance Thresher cannot be enjoyed by the visiting public because it is packed away in a storage shed. Currently Wellington Farm Park, Inc. is undertaking a significant fundraising project to generate enough money to build a Vintage Machinery Museum at the farm. When it is completed it will serve as a permanent display for the Advance Thresher, Engine and several more significant agricultural artifacts and make them fully accessible to the visiting public. When it is opened, it is anticipated that the Vintage machinery Museum will be a significant attraction in Northern Michigan and will provide a significant stimulas to that area of the state. Anyone willing to help with this project is encouraged to send their tax deductible contribution to Vintage Machinery Museum, 6771 S. Military Road, Grayling, MI 49738. More information about the museum can be obtained by calling Wellington Farm at 989 348 5187 or visiting the website at www.wellingtonfarmpark.org..

Wellington Farm is located at 6944 S. Military Road just off I-75 and US-127 southwest of Grayling. The 60-acre facility depicts rural life as it was lived during the Great Depression. Wellington Farm is open to the public from 9:00 until 5:00 6 days a week until Halloween. The farm is closed on Monday. Wellington Farm Park, Inc. is a 501©3 non profit corporation.