The Bayer Museum of Agriculture in Lubbock has a rich collection of farming tools and implements dating back to around 1900.  I’m a fan of old tractors and found my favorite tractor right away – The 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee Tractor.

They also have a stock Ford 1940 1/2 Ton Pickup that is in excellent condition.  Sadly, the man who donated the truck to the museum passed this past weekend and the truck was outside waiting transport to the funeral home where it will be on display for the deceased’s friends and family as a remembrance.

The following tractor is just pretty.

On Monday, while driving to Lubbock, it seems we passed hundreds of miles of cotton fields and cotton gins.   Needless to say, cotton is big in this part of Texas.  There was quite a lot of material and artifacts covering growing, harvesting and processing cotton.  I was surprised to learn that automatic cotton harvesters were being built and sold in the 1930’s.  Surprised because I know a number of baby boomer men that picked cotton for money when they were children.  I’m sure it was an experience that convinced them to go to college and make something of themselves.  From 1932 through 1941 John Deere produced a model 30 and 31 single row cotton picker.  More efficient and effective cotton pickers were  developed and sold since.

The museum has a cotton combine simulator that is really effective.  I sat through a simulation cycle.  I was OK until the combine turned around in the field to start another row.  It was a bit too realistic and I got motion sickness.

The museum exhibits are rich in detail and accuracy.  I had to do a double take of the mannequin below.  So lifelike and yet not.

• Museum