In 1968, Lyle Sundry went to Olmsted County Historical Society when it was still located in downtown Rochester within an old church at 214 3rd Ave SW. Director Floyd Shaw III granted permission to display an old engine and burr mill grinding corn near on the south side of the Hadley Valley school house located at the fairgrounds during the fair. The 4hp Fuller & Johnson engine, burr mill, and 6 bags of shelled corn from Roddis Elevator Company (cost = $2/bag) were transported with the assistance of the Ocher's van and trailer. Lyle still has this engine and burr mill in his collection.
Lyle continued this annual display during the August county fair, and was joined by Roger Byrne in 1970 who brought more engines and equipment to display. By 1973, a shortage of space at the fairgrounds influenced the group to demonstrate their antique threshing/tractor/engine equipment at the Robert Hale farm south of Stewartville. By 1974, the Mechanical History Roundtable was formed with OCHS through the efforts of Roger Byrne working with the then Director George Tyrell. The first "Days of YesterYear" threshing show was on the current History Center grounds in 1975.
Above History supplied by Donna Sundry
