Vintage Tractors & Steam Engines

TRACTOR TOURS

Free Community Tours every Wednesday at Noon or contact us to schedule a private tour as part of a JUMP Experience. If you would like to see the tractors, please sign up for a tour. Call 208.639.6610, email us at tours@jumpboise.org, or stop by our lobby to check availability.

PODCAST

HISTORY

In 1998 J. R. Simplot attended a tractor and antique farm equipment auction in Billings, Montana at a place called Oscar’s Dreamland. The auction was billed as the largest private tractor and steam engine sale in the world with nearly 6,000 people in attendance, over 2,000 of which were registered bidders.

Over the course of three days J. R. purchased around 110 antique tractors and steam engines along with other miscellaneous antique farming equipment. J. R. had plans to build an agricultural history museum where people would be able to see these machines and teach younger generations how we got to where we are today.

When J. R. passed away in 2008, he left behind not only his legacy but also a collection of vintage tractors. While deciding what to do with these tractors, a new idea emerged. Instead of building a typical tractor museum, which would likely be under-utilized, why not build a lively community space where the tractors can be appreciated for more than just their history, they can be seen as inspiring works of human ingenuity, which have helped cultivate the world we know today and inspire the world of tomorrow.

JUMP showcases 51 vintage steam engines and tractors dating as far back as 1885. These inspiring examples of industrial art and innovation connect our agricultural roots to the future of downtown Boise.

Kerosene Annie