BY JESSIE BURCHETTE
SALISBURY POST

A Mount Ulla man who grew up on a farm has a vision of a farm machinery museum and exhibition that would preserve the area’s agricultural past while attracting tourists.

The Rowan County Parks and Recreation Commission has endorsed David Hall’s vision and agreed to work with him to locate the exhibit at Sloan Park off N.C. 150 West.

Hall, a member of the Mount Ulla Lions Club, met with the commission this week to discuss his idea. Commission members lauded the vision and agreed to work toward putting together an exhibit.

Hall and Parks Director Jim Foltz said the idea is only in the early stages. There’s no details on costs, funding or where the exhibition would be.

Hall visited a friend in Courtland, Va., and saw the farm machinery and sawmill equipment exhibition there. He said his friend had spent a lifetime collecting farm machinery and decided to put together a group and organize an exhibition.

His idea steamrolled into a regional exhibition that incudes a variety of antiques from 50 to 200 years old.

Hall knows there is a lot of support in western Rowan for such a farm exhibit and he believes that there is support in adjoining counties.

He considers Sloan Park a natural fit because of the old grist mill already at the park and its location in the the midst of a farming area.

“There is a sizable amount of equipment in people’s storage barns. Hopefully they will be willing to donate it to a facility where it can be kept secure and displayed for future generations,” said Hall.

Among displays Hall would like to see housed in an exhibit is an early milking barn. “Rowan and the surrounding area has been heavily involved in dairy production for the past 150 years,” he said.

The combination of Sloan Park, nearby Lazy 5 Ranch and a farm machinery exhibit would make an enticing day trip for many in the region, Hall believes.

With the endorsement of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the next steps will include developing a plan for funding and getting the machinery.

Hall urged anyone who would like to donate equipment or money to the project to contact Foltz at Dan Nicholas Park, 704-636-2089.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com .