VIRDEN, Ill. – With the New Year, outside tractor shows and drives dry up, but collectors are still looking for things to do associated with the antique tractor and farm toy hobby. This is a great time to hit the road and enjoy the variety of agricultural museums throughout the countryside.

Many collectors have gathered their restored beauties and placed them inside and opened their collections to others so they too can come and view and enjoy. Here is a list of a few places to check out across the countryside:

The American Tractor Museum in Perryville, Mo., is a great museum that keeps expanding every time I have visited. The collection includes many rare and unusual tractors like Huber, Indiana, Rumley and Waterloo Boy. The collection includes pedal tractors and is in an old International Harvester dealership that is now part of the Perry County Tourism office. They are located at 508 N. Main Street, Perryville, Mo. The museum is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and the first and third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 574-547-1097, or email info@americantractormuseum.com for more information.

The Illinois Rural Heritage Museum in Pinckneyville, Ill., is another fun museum that is always rotating displays. Across from the home of the American Thresherman show, the Illinois Rural Heritage Museum shares life and traditions of life without the assistance of modern amenities. Their mission is to preserve “this way of life and to teach future generations the traditions of the past.    Learning from the past can lead to innovation of the future.”

This museum includes tractors and an array of items sharing pioneer life. They have a new feature exhibit, “Making Apple Butter.” They are closed during January and will reopen in February. Museum hours are Thursday to Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Private tours are available on request. Call 618-357-8908 or check out their Facebook page for more information.

Albert City Historical Museum in Albert City, Iowa, is open by appointment, or during the Albert City Threshermans show the third weekend in August. The museum has several buildings. The museum in part focuses on the history of the development of the Thieman tractor, which was constructed in Albert City. There is also an amazing story of a bank robbery that took place at the local depot. Call 712-291-1434 to set up an appointment at the Albert City Historical Museum. The buildings are at about 40 degrees during the winter so if you visit, dress accordingly.

Floyd County Historical Museum in Charles City, Iowa, is open Tuesday-Saturday. This wonderful museum focuses on the Oliver Hart Parr history and has amazing archival records. This museum has several rare tractors and can date back to the history of the word “tractor.” Check out the website for details at https://www.floydcountymuseum.org.

National Farm Toy Museum in Dyersville, Iowa, is open daily and has a variety of farm toy models and various scale toys and displays along with wonderful exhibits.  Walk through ag history with farm toys at the museum, located at 1110 16th Ave., Ct. SE, Dyersville, IA, 52042. Call 563-875-2727 or email farmtoys@dyersville.com for details.

The Larsen Tractor Museum, in Lincoln Neb., pays tribute to the Nebraska tractor testing history. Located at the University of Nebraska, this fascinating museum tells the story of how these tractor tests and the law, which established them to protect farmers from irresponsible tractor companies. It is the only tractor testing museum in the world, and the only complete tractor test laboratory in the world. For more information log onto https://automotiveguide.com/larsen-tractor-museum/ or email info@automotivemuseumguide.com.

The Plantation Museum in Scott, Ark., is a building that was built in 1912. It was the commissary for the Elmhurst Plantation, and in 1927 they added the Scott Post office. The former commissary served as the general store. The original Elmhurst Plantation belonged to Conway Scott, and he obtained the farm from a land grant issued by President James Madison for 160 acres. The main house was located about five miles away along the river. Check out this interesting museum that tells part of the state’s cotton history. Call 501-961-1409 for details.

Soule Steam Feed Works in Meridian, Miss. The Soule family operated the Soule Steam Feed Works for 110 years under founder George W. Soule and his family. Soule has at least 25 U.S. patents. Most of those patents were incorporated into products for sawmills that populated the south from 1885 until 1930, making this a fascinating agricultural stop. This museum falls under the Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum name. The website is https://www.industrialheritagemuseum.com/plan-your-visit  /, and the phone number is 601-693-9905.

These stops offer a variety of museums in different parts of the U.S. Pick out your map and start planning a trip or two. Be sure to check ahead and ensure that the museum is open before heading out because things happen. Happy travels and antique tractoring.