About NHPA

NOWTHEN HISTORICAL POWER ASSOCIATION
          Bringing the Past
to the Present  

The members are dedicated to teaching and preserving the past while recreating an atmosphere of rural and small town America. The show shares information, equipment, costumes, and activities from these eras while providing great family entertainment.

We are the Nowthen Historical Power Association (NHPA) and evolved from the Anoka Engine Club and the Rogers Pioneer Power Association. One group restored a 22" International Harvester Threshing machine and used it to put on the original Rogers Threshing Show. The other group collected and restored old tractors and stationary gas engines. The group provides the avenue to explore and exhibit our hobbies and collections while sharing information with visitors during an annual show on the third weekend in August each year.

The members continue expanding our exhibits and demonstrations for the annual show. A visit to the property gives a sense of the varied interests:

  • There is a Fairbanks Morse diesel engine, which starts using compressed air.
  • The Steam Building has a Worthington Steam engine that was used in a hospital for creating a vacuum.
  • The Log House, Log Barn and General Store exhibit information about prior eras.
  • The Prairie Peddler is a functioning print shop with equipment dating from the 1900's.
  • We have an area for artisans demonstrating handcraft activities.
  • The Church is restored and was moved to the site in 1998.
  • The School was recently moved to the grounds and was restored in 2010.
  • A group of metal workers demonstrates the craft of the village blacksmith.
  • One of our largest exhibits is the variety of antique tractors and steam engines - with an antique tractor pull held on Friday and Saturday evenings of the show.

There is usually an array of information and help available for your projects. If you do not have a project, there are many opportunities to volunteer in helping with the annual show. Work at the show site takes place as time permits and often Tuesday evenings and Saturdays are marked for project times.

We encourage you to join us. Membership is open to those interested in associating with us and helping meet the association's objectives. We are recognized as a 501(c)(3) corporation and donations are deductible as allowed by law.