[quote:1mg7l8ou]Travis:  Hi Bill,  They are probably referring to the Cunningham family.  Gertrude Oliver, J.D.'s daughter, married into the Cunningham family.  The Cunningham's gave us (NICH) Copshaholm in 1988.  They have a foundation (thanks, in part to J.D. and the 1929 merger).  However, I can't imagine that this foundation will actually be looking into building an Oliver museum here in South Bend.  With that said, I may be totally 'all wet.'  I am really not in the position to have all of the privy information of the Oliver Foundation (that's what we call it).  I do know and talk with J.Oliver Cunningham (who is J.D. Oliver's ONLY grandson) and he really doesn't have an interest in things of Oliver-related history (unless its related to hockey or ND football).  I am sure that they will give "support" to anyone in the HPOCA wanting to build a museum here, but whether that support is financial (and that's the real issue isn't it?) will remain to be seen.  I don't know, I don't want to be cynical, but this town can't support the museums it already has; to me, throwing another museum in this town is financial suicide.  Thoughts?  Comments?
Travis Childs
NICH


At the HPOCA Winter Convention the members were advised that a foundation had been established with the help of members of the "Oliver" family (I'm sorry I don't recall the family name and it was not Oliver).  The foundation will be looking into establishing a muesuem for Oliver equipment.  We got to see a rough draft of the by-laws, but not much else since the foundation was just getting off of the ground.

Do you know anything about the foundation and where such a muesuem might be located?

Thanks.

Bill Brandt

[quote:1mg7l8ou]Bill, 
   I don't think that the Oliver museum idea here in South Bend is going to 'fly.'  Our museum would welcome anyone with the resources and ideas to build a museum dedicated to Oliver equipment, however, the money is just not there.  Plus, there is the factor that the main focus of the museum (I think) is going to be a museum of Oliver farm tractors--there was only ONE Oliver tractor model line made here in South Bend-the Super 99's.  We like the idea of having a museum that displays the equipment and plow equipment that the OCPW made, and I am not sure that the display of tractors supports this or not.  A better place for this type of museum would be in Charles City, but I do understand why they are focusing in on South Bend.
   As a side note, there are talks underway of building a memorial to the Oliver Chilled Plow Works next to the old powerhouse building (Rose Fuel and Brick is restoring the powerhouse for the relocation of their building supply company---check out <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rosebrick.com">http://www.rosebrick.com</a><!-- m --> to see the building's restoration progress)-so that should be nice.
   Studebaker has chosen an architect and is in the process (with the city) of moving a house off the lot where the new Studebaker museum will be located (the northwest corner of Chapin Street and Thomas Street).  I think I heard they want to break ground early this spring.  They haven't moved the house yet, but they have the new foundation ready to go.  The plans of the new building look great and will somewhat coordinate with the look of our building.  Our two museums will be connected by a common hallway and have some great amenities.
  Thanks for writing. 
Travis Childs
NICH
[quote:1mg7l8ou]Travis:

Glad to help.

Have you heard anything more about an Oliver muesem in South Bend?

Have they started on a new one for Studebaker?

Thanks in advance.

Bill Brandt


quote]Thanks Bill!
That's exactly what the person meant.  I've never heard them referred to that before.
Thanks for your reply!
Travis Childs
Northern Indiana Center for History
South Bend, Indiana

[quote:1mg7l8ou]I think they might be referring to the semi-mounted plows first made in the 60's.  It had a mounting post up by the tractor and a long rod to the tail wheel.  when the tractor turned the rod would move the tail wheel and the plow would follow behind the tractor.

The first mounted plows were rigid and would swing very wide when the tractor turned at the end of the round.  This was not a problem with 2 or 3 bottom plows, but the 4, 5, and larger plows needed something to help them follow the tractor when turning and when plowing on the contour.

Hope this helps.

Bill Brandt
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