An Old-Fashioned Barn Raising
Using age-old techniques and volunteer manual labor, it was a step back in time as the Antique Engine & Tractor Association (AETA) constructed a timber frame barn on the site of their new location north of Geneseo. Similar in design to Midwest barns of the mid 1800's, Trillium Dell Timberworks, in association with the Timber Farmers Guild, assembled and raised the barn during the summer of 2009. The large timber frame barn was constructed from local white oak and is approximately 48 feet wide by 70 feet long.
By Trillium Dell Timberworks
The Antique Engine & Tractor Association's stated purpose is "To promote the collection, restoration, preservation and exhibition of gasoline and oil engines, gasoline and steam tractors, power driven farm machinery and other equipment of historical value." First organized in 1959, this non-profit organization has grown to over 200 members.
In 2008, the AETA received a gift of 40 acres of farmland from Bill and June Cole for the purpose of developing the ground as the club's new home and show site. Subsequently, the Association's long range planning team developed a capital expantion plan requiring the purchase of an additional 10 acres to better access the site from Highway 92. This new, permanent site makes it possible for the AETA to develop facilities necessary to accommodate the growing interest in their activities, and allow for expansion of new initiatives for the future.
A two-phase grant totaling $99,000.00 from the Geneseo Foundation was awarded to AETA for the purpose of assisting with the barn raising and developing the new site. Noting that the Association's barn and historic display educates and celebrates local history, the Foundation's Board of Managers were pleased to support this dynamic project.
The AETA hosts an annual three-day Working Farm Show to showcase and demostrate equipment from the early to mid 1900's. This event is always held in September, the second weekend after Labor Day. The Association plans to host their 2010 show at the new site north of Geneseo. More information is available at www.atkinson-engine-tractor-assoc.com.
Antique Engine & Tractor Association
L to R: Dr. Roger Pray, Geneseo Foundation board member; Chuck Bos, AETA building coordinator chairman; Bill Cole, AETA member; Tom Hitzhusen, AETA member; and Todd Sieben, Foundation board chairman.
John Dedrick Immigrates to Andover
John Dedrick, father of George B. Dedrick the Geneseo Foundation's originator, spent a portion of his early life living and working in Andover, Illinois. Born in Sweden in the year 1835, John Dedrick immigrated to America at age 16. He settled in the village of Andover for the next few years.
When the Civil War began, John Dedrick was one of the first to answer President Lincoln's call for volunteers. Upon his return from war in 1864, First Lieutenant Dedrick worked in the Andover General Store owned by Otto Lobeck. He soon went into business for himself and formed a partnership with John Gustus in Geneseo. Dedrick would continue as one of Geneseo's foremost citizens in the late 1800's and early part of the 20th century.
It was John Dedrick who piqued a business interest in his son, George, when at the age of 19, he purchased a 1/4 interest in his father's firm. George Dedrick would continue on to become one of Geneseo's prominent business leaders and establish the Geneseo Foundation with his $1,000,000 gift.
Photo courtesy of Austin Oaks Portrait Studio
Andover Historical Society
The Village of Andover will celebrate its 175th Anniversary in 2010. A Geneseo Foundation grant assisted with new welcome signs to the community.
Foundation Hits a Home Run
With a $100,000.00 grant from the Geneseo Foundation, a new state-of-th-art baseball and softball complex is nearing completion. Located behind Millikin School in Geneseo, the new four diamond, wheel design will host area youth games, the Geneseo High School Lady Leafs' softball games, and attract larger tournaments to the area. In addition, the bomplex will include a press box and concession stand at the center of the four new diamonds, and a new parking lot with 120 spots.
Added benefits for fans attending games at the Millikin Diamonds include paved ares, bleachers around the wheel design, lighting, safety nets above the spectators' heads, and parents with chiledresn playing at the same time on different diamonds can now watch both games.
With support from the Geneseo School District and city officials, the project began in mid-summer 2009. The Geneseo Foundation's grant to the Geneseo School Facility Enhancement Foundation (GSFEF) assisted with general expenses of the project. Joe Mickley, project co-coordinator stated, "About 1,400 kids utilize these facilities annually, and we are looking at this to be a project that will be around for awhile. We've put a lot of effort into making sure this is a clean, safe place to play ball. Safety is the number one concern and the driving force behind the project."
The Millikin Diamonds have received approximately 80% of their funding from individuals and businesses, with volunteer labor on every aspect of the project. mickley added, "It is a community project and is being accomplished by volunteers and gift-in-kind donations. we can't thank the volunteers enough who have stepped up and made this happen. There is a unique character to this community, and these are the types of things that build a community."
The Millikin Diamonds are scheduled to be ready for the start of the 2010 Geneseo Lady Leafs' softball season. Once complete, the committee in charge of the project will turn the site over to the school district, which will take over the responsibility of maintenance. If you are interested in supporting this project through the Geneseo Foundation, please contact the Central Bank Trust Division at 309-944-5608.
Geneseo School Facility Enhancement Foundation
L to R: Joe Mickley, project co-coordinator;
Bob Pettit, project manager, and
John Dubois, Geneseo Foundation board member