County fair group looks to build farm heritage building

PRESQUE ISLE – Each year, the Northern Maine Fair Association puts on exhibits that offer glimpses of all that is modern while showcasing a rich display of the history of the region.

Expositions of antique farming equipment have delighted fair-goers in the past, and the Northern Maine Fair Association has set a goal of protecting the historical artifacts that have become a part of the event. The association plans to construct an Agriculture Heritage Building that will preserve and display antique farm equipment while serving as an agricultural museum and educational center.

The wood-frame and metal-sided building will be located at the fairgrounds on Mechanic Street.

Fair President Lynwood Winslow said during a recent interview that the association had launched a $100,000 capital campaign designed to raise money for the building.

The campaign will seek tax-deductible contributions from individuals, organizations and area businesses, and will be conducted as a special project of the Northern Maine Fair board of trustees.

Donors can make contributions in a single installment or with formal one- to two-year pledges.

“We believe we will need to raise about $100,000 to construct the building in the manner that we would like to,” he said. “We have plans to construct it so that it matches the current architectural style of the grounds.”

More than $8,000 has been raised so far, according to Winslow.

Last year, owners of antique tractors brought more than 50 major pieces of motorized equipment to the fair, said Winslow. He added that organizers had to turn some people away because they were not able to transport their equipment to and from the fairgrounds.

Winslow said that most potential exhibitors would leave their antique farm equipment on the grounds year-round or donate these items to the fair if a permanent home for them were established.

The new building also is expected to house nonmotorized farm equipment and feature a display of artifacts from the fair’s 153-year run.

The fair association plans to raise enough money this winter so that construction can begin in the spring of 2008. Its goal is to have the facility ready for use by the 2008 fair.

Winslow said the new building not only will be a great addition to the grounds, it also will save what remains of the past for future generations.

“Much of our highest-quality antique farm equipment is leaving the area to collectors or simply rotting away,” he said. “We believe it is important to preserve as much of this equipment as possible so that future generations of northern Mainers can learn of the way things used to be here.”

For information, go to www.northernmainefair

grounds.com.

Jjlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257