- To foster the preservation and knowledge of historical agricultural machines and methods,
- To provide a venue for members to share common interests and experiences, and
- To conduct an annual show at which members share their knowledge and exhibit their antique tractors, engines, and other agricultural machines.
Monthly meetings and annual antique tractor and machinery shows were held at Swiss Acres, the Albert Meier Ranch two miles east of Stonewall, until limited parking and other considerations dictated the need for a move to a different site. Several locations were considered until negotiations with the Gillespie County Fairgrounds Association were concluded successfully and the 2004 Antique Tractor & Machinery Show was held at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds, two miles south of Fredericksburg.
Although the
annual show has
grown in size, the types of displays and
demonstrations are basically the same now as in the past--exhibits of
antique tractors and engines, tractor
parades, demonstrations of agricultural machinery and tractor
pulls. Each show features over 200 tractors and engines,
along
with various other motorized vehicles and farm implements.
Membership
has increased gradually through the years to the
present size of approximately 150 members. The nature of the
HCAT&EC membership is changing. In previous years,
most
members were or
had been farmers or ranchers who owned antique tractors
and engines which they exhibited and demonstrated. Now, many
of
the
members are interested and supportive, but they have never lived or
worked on farms or ranches and they do not personally
own tractors
or
engines.