There are collectors of old construction equipment. Did you know there was a museum full of such vintage equipment?

The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) Museum is on Liberty Hi Road in Bowling Green, Ohio.

In 1992, the HCEA rented a parcel of land near Bowling Green for the purpose of erecting an equipment museum to preserve and display machines, exhibits and artifacts that represent the development and history of construction machinery from the 1800s to the present day. Today, the museum’s collection includes nearly 100 machines.

The museum is divided into an indoor exhibit hall for restored machines and restoration shop, in which volunteers work to restore equipment to their operating condition and original appearance.

The museum includes old shovels, cranes, excavators, crawlers, wheel tractors, graders, road shapers, rollers, compactors, scarifiers, plows, compressors, drills, generators, trenchers, paving equipment, trucks, haulers, wagons, trailers, pumps and more.

The tour takes about 45 minutes. Admission is free to HCEA members and $7 for non-members. Those 12 and under have free admission. Group rates are available for 10 or more.

The museum is open to the public between 1-5 p.m. weekdays but due to staff considerations call 419-352-5616 to make sure the facility is open. Ask for Thomas Berry.