Show celebrates I&I, Penfield birthdays

PENFIELD, Ill. — Three historic milestones will be observed July 9-12 during this year’s Historic Farm Days.

Along with the 250th birthday of the United States, Penfield will celebrate its sesquicentennial and the I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club will observe its 50th anniversary.

The I&I was formed in 1976 when a group of antique farm equipment enthusiasts met at Bill White’s farm near Alvin, next to to the Illinois-Indiana state line — hence the club name.

In the early days, club members would exhibit their antique tractors at local fairs and shopping malls.

“From 1976 to 1985, we moved around a little bit, and then from 1986 to 1996 Historic Farm Days was at the Middle Fork Forest Preserve” five miles north of Penfield, said Chuck Stelter, I&I president.

After nine successful years, the event outgrew its space and in 1996 the club purchased the 12-acre Penfield Improvement Association property that included the old Penfield Grade School and grounds, creating the Agricultural History Center.

“I think having a permanent site at Penfield is the biggest reason we are probably still in existence,” Stelter said.

Over the years, the I&I Club accumulated farm hand tools, household furnishings, appliances and several pieces of horse- and tractor-drawn equipment.

Many items belonged to the members, some were loaned or donated. Everyone agreed the equipment and appliances should be on display for the public to see.

In 2003, through the hard work of volunteer members, the Penfield Grade School was converted into a museum.

Since purchasing the site, the I&I continued to enhance its grounds. A restored log cabin was moved to the property.

Most of this cabin was recovered during the demolition of a house that had been built around it. The cabin has a place in history, being the site of an early post office in Champaign County.

During the summer 2005 show, the club’s sawmill supplied the rough lumber to complete the installation of cabin’s floor.

A little “window dressing” around the cabin gave a good feel of how the post office probably looked in its day.

In 2016, a one-room schoolhouse was relocated from the Rantoul area to the Penfield grounds. It features a recreation of early rural education.

Stelter has been an I&I member for about 26 years and his interest in antique tractors that led him to joining the club began as a youngster.

“We always farmed with some older tractors. We always had a couple older tractors when I was a kid. I just always liked older tractors. I always enjoyed going to tractor shows, seeing the tractors and seeing them work,” he said.

“I just love meeting all the people, hearing everyone’s stories and seeing all the equipment.

“I think it’s a great milestone for the club. It shows that over the years we have had some very active members who have brought us to the point where we’re at today.

“I look for the club to be here for another 50 years because we have got some very good members right now. We’re always recruiting new members, and I think as the times have changed, we’ve changed along with the times, and that’s what you have to do to survive.”

Penfield’s 150th

Recognizing the important role the Penfield community played in the continued growth of the I&I, Sunday, July 12, has been designated as Penfield Day during Historic Farm Days.

“There’s going to be different activities for Penfield Day. There will also be a Penfield exhibit throughout the show,” Stelter said.

“We’re also going to have exhibits for the 50th anniversary of the club throughout Historic Farm Days.”

The Village of Penfield was formed March 8, 1876, along the Havana, Rantoul and Eastern Railroad.

The village was named for Guy Penfield who, with his brother, John, came from Vermont to Rantoul in 1856 and plotted the town of Rantoul that same year.

Guy was vice president of the railroad that ran through the area, according to the ILGenWeb Project.

Its first store and harness shop opened a month later, and other merchants followed. Within two years, the new community featured a blacksmith shop, hotel, lumberyard and agriculture store, wagon shop, shoe shop, general store, livery stable, tile factory and school.

250th Birthday

To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States, there will be fireworks beginning at dusk on Saturday, July 11.