CLUB HISTORY
A New Beginning for The Past
The Monte Vista Antique Iron Club became a reality in March of 1999 as a result of several valley residents, who over a period of fifteen years or more, observed and gathered information while sharing ideas about forming a local association.
Common interest included collecting, salvaging, repairing, and restorating power sources such as engines, tractors, crawlers, horse drawn equipment and their associated equipment and machinery representing the farm heritage of the San Luis Valley during the late19th and early to mid 20th century.
Memberships were open to anyone interested in collecting, restoring, and exhibiting these items for public education and entertainment.
Collecting interests were extended beyond Antique Iron and tractors to include operating manuals, books, magazines, displays, tools, toys, salesman samples, furnishings, collectibles, and memorabilia representing that era.
The founding members chose a name and a purpose for the club. The name being the San Luis Valley Antique Iron Club (SLVAIC).
The club has set up a formal structure with the elected officers who include the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, past president and five directors.
The club publishes a quarterly newsletter, is a member of the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, the Western Antique Powers Pullers Association, and the Arkansas Valley Fly Wheelers.
The club has started on a joint venture with the Monte Vista Cooperative and the RC&D organization to construct an antique agriculture museum at the Monte Vista Coop location to house and exhibit such items of agriculture interest for the public. A building has been designed to be built next to the existing Extension Service Building.
Other agriculture related organizations would be invited to house and display exhibits concerning San Luis Valley farming, irrigation, water and soil conservation projects for public interest and education.
Members share interest in the areas of engine overhaul, repair maintenance, sandblasting, metal work, painting techniques, mechanical operation and exhibiting skills.
Annual events for participation are National Western Stock Show, San Luis Valley Potato & Grain Conference, Monte Vista Coop annual expo, San Luis Valley Annual Antique Tractor Show and Pull, Monte Vista Ski Hi Stampede Parade, La Jara Pioneer Days, Del Norte Covered Wagon Days, Center Harvest Festival, Saguache Harvest Festival and many exhibition shows through out the year.
The club has an Annual General Meeting in the spring and a summer picnic for all club members and friends. Future events to be started are a plow day in the fall, a harvest day for thrashing grain in the fall and the building of its own weight transfer sled for pulls.
We at the San Luis Valley Antique Iron Club wish to invite you to become a member, a supporter or just come and see and visit about old times.
