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The Changing American Farm, 1831-1981

May 15, 1981 - May 5, 1982

Museum: American History Museum

Location: 3rd Floor, Special Exhibits Hall

This exhibit features four large pieces of machinery: an authentic 1837 John Deere plow, an early cottonseed planter, and two full-scale replicas: a Cyrus McCormick reaper and a John Froelich 1892 tractor (the first successful gas-operated tractor). The first three are from SI collections; the Froelich tractor is on loan from John Deere Corp. Also included are large backlighted color panels showing contemporary farming techniques. One section of the exhibit hall will contrast old dairying equipment with new facilities.