Restored tractor, plow returning to Naper Settlement
Visitors to Naper Settlement on Tuesday, Sept. 5, can come early at 9:30 a.m. to see a fully restored 1953 Allis-Chalmers WD45 tractor and plow return to the grounds of the historic village at 523 S. Webster St.
The vehicles are making the trek from south Naperville in a move coordinated by the police department.
Donated to the Naperville Heritage Society by the Wheatland Plowing Match Association, the tractor and plow will be on display during Naper Settlement's Grandparents Weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.
"Grandparents Weekend is the perfect opportunity to honor grandparents and for children to be made aware of the strength, information and guidance that can come from older people," said Sheila Riley, director of learning experiences.
"We are incredibly excited for the Allis-Chalmers to be a part of our antique tractor display, and the variety of other fun, intergenerational activities that will take place that weekend."
Museum and event admission on Grandparents Weekend are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 52 and older, and $8 for youth ages 4-12. Naperville residents with proof of residency, children younger than 4 and Naper Settlement members are admitted free.
The tractor and plow have undergone extensive restoration under the careful hands of Rich Benck, a Naperville resident and businessman.
"After following Rich's process for the past two years, we couldn't be more grateful for the extensive research and effort he has put into restoring the Allis-Chalmers tractor and its plow," said Louise Howard, Naper Settlement's chief curator.
"Conserving and showcasing this significant local agricultural artifact for our visitors is essential in connecting our community's history to the nation's agrarian development."
Rich and Mary Benck founded the Naperville-based company, West Side Tractor Sales Co. in 1962, which provided construction and forestry equipment. As a trained diesel mechanic and an Air Force diesel engine instructor, Rich's hobby is transforming and rebuilding old tractors.
He said there were times working on the 60-year-old plow, that spent most of its life "rusting away," was challenging, but it was ultimately worth it.
"My family owned a 1937 Allis Chalmers, and I spent a lot of time on it as a young teenager, so restoring Naper Settlement's Allis Chalmers brought back a lot of good memories," Benck said.
"I think the Naperville Heritage Society and the museum's mission in sharing and preserving Naperville's agricultural history is important, and I'm pleased to be a part of this endeavor."
The Allis-Chalmers tractor eventually will be on display at the museum's Agricultural Interpretive Center, currently under planning and fundraising development.
The center will feature virtual technology, hands-on programming and interactive exhibits to share stories of area farming families and teach the business and science of modern-day agriculture to Naper Settlement's 341,000 annual visitors.
For more information, call (630) 620-6010 or visit napersettlement.org.