Times are a Changing!
Change is inevitable! It
occurs whether desired or not. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative, the
outcome often cannot be fully appreciated at the outset. We have discussed
change on occasion. Not wanting to be repetitious however it is appropriate to observe
that recent happenings at Powerland are more than a simple footnote! As an
outcome, we are going to learn how adaptive and resilient we can be while
retaining insightfulness and fairness.
Unintentional change can emerge
from many “corners”, and museums are not immune! Classic causes include decisions
rendered external to an organization, changes in market preferences, a lost capacity
or expertise, lost use of artifacts (more specific to museums), and the
evolution of new ways of “doing things”. In this current circumstance, the cause
of change was loss of land available for activities.
An example of lost capacity
might be our ability to operate steam at Powerland. That event would be
profound considering that a steam museum is in planning. Market preference
changes could be a gradual decrease in interest among the general population in
early 1900’s heritage. As a point of reference, we do need to stay cognizant of
such changing interests as the visiting population grows “younger”.
Chat with our car folks! It
is evident the today’s middle aged enthusiasts are equally interested in cars
of 40’s and 50’s vintage inclusive of early “muscle” cars in contrast to Model
A’s and T’s. Why? Because of the ever changing age demographics! Today’s
visitors and hobbyists/restorers grew up with vehicles of that era. The very
first horseless carriages will undoubtedly retain our admiration and respect
but so does old age, to a degree!
Referencing a point on that ever
evasive “learning curve of life”, we are having problems attracting younger
generations. Why is that? Yes, change! Changing interests, changing priorities
and changing perceptions of what is relevant and important in the scheme of
things. We at Powerland must remain aware and alert. More on this theme later! Let’s
return to the issue of recent changes. What did take place?
In a nutshell, we lost use of
the May Trucking Company property located to the east of the old shop building.
For fifteen years, that company had generously allowed our use of several acres
as though we owned it. We went merrily about our activities of using the
property for putting on the Steam-Up and hosting an array of other activities.
We remained very appreciative
of May for allowing our use of the area however gave only cursory thought to the
inevitable day when the land would no longer be available. In our defense, we
concluded several years past that an evolving land shortage situation was eminent
driven by our own interests in expanding and those of outside heritage groups
wanting to join Powerland.
As the age old expression
states, they ain’t making no more (land), a fact that became all to obvious in
recent years as an attempt was make to acquire land from adjacent landowners to
no avail. We tried to purchase land from May Trucking. As well a fund was
established for the eventuality of needing to pursue land.
The competition for land
around Powerland has grown in the past few years. As proof, take note of the
growing number of commercial businesses along
In part, our problems stem
from our own success with the Steam-Up. Attendance grew, museum facilities were
added and venues and presentations expanded. The parking area at the front was
needed for day visitors and there was little room for parking RV’s on the
grounds during the Show. Of course the number of RVs was growing as Boomers
began retiring. Boy did change come at us big time!
So we turned to our neighbors
for RV parking. For three years, that arrangement worked OK however not without
challenges including completion of harvest before Show time, problems with
State land use regulations, and again there was competing use of the land by
owners and users.
The 2006 Show arrived without
an agreement to use adjacent land and as a consequence for the first time we
had to turn RVs away. So even before we were told that this would be the last time
the May property could be used for the Steam-Up, the problem had essentially landed
“on our doorstep”.
So what has been Powerland’s
response? It was evident that immediate action was needed to lay the groundwork
for next season activities and the 2007 Steam-Up. The APMA Board asked the
Planning Committee to consider options and return with recommendations. The
outcome was the recommendations that the progressive sled tractor pull event
and the wheat field activity be terminated, to be reinstated subject to
additional land becoming available.
The APMA Board agreed with
these recommendations and took appropriate follow up action. These were
difficult yet necessary decisions and really stem from priorities. The loss of
the May property removed both the tractor pull area as well as the swap area. A
follow up assessment concluded that the Swap Meet needed to be retained. Additionally
it was agreed that Powerland needs to be able to host RVs during the Show.
So the decision was made to
use the wheat field area for RV parking and possibly the Swap. A location for
the Swap Meet is yet to be finalized. Additionally the
So what about the tractor
pull event and the Tractor Pullers organization, and the wheat field as
components of the Steam-Up. It is recognized that a component of our market
comes to the Steam-Up to view the tractor pull. Loss of progressive sled
tractor pulling will have an impact. How much remains to be determined. We are
making an effort to acquire use of property that would allow the event to
continue.
The wheat field activity
stemmed from an interest in raising our own crop for harvesting demonstrations
in lieu of bringing wheat to Powerland for demonstration purposes. The Two
Cylinder club agreed to be the keeper of the field and all that was involved in
plowing, planting, tending the crop and harvesting.
Under the leadership of Perry
Pinkerton, that program went ahead and has been successful. Many thanks to that
club for their great work! Now we need to find another field so that the fall
planting to harvest program can continue. In the interim, we will once again
bring wheat in for Steam-Up demonstration.
So is all of this excitement
behind us? No way! We would be naive to even consider status quo as a
possibility. There is a constant ongoing requirement to think strategically
particularly in conjunction with land use allocations and capital funds
investment, both rare and valuable commodities at Powerland.
In conjunction with the loss
of the May property, it became apparent that greater efficiency of land use at
Powerland is imperative. Prime land at Steam-Up time and otherwise is the inner
court grassed area. Branch 15 has been asked to review their use of that area
during the Show, the intent being to make available additional space for other
display and demonstration needs.
Another square footage area
under scrutiny is “restaurant row”. Is the present arrangement the best use of
that property? Really most of the buildings are used but four days a year. Maybe all food vending should be portable or
possibly a covered single food court is a preferred option. A critical
assessment of land use around the site reveals many possibilities for use
improvements!
What will be the nature of all
those “change driven” events that will most definitely come our way as the
years roll on? What we do well today may not at all be what we should do well
ten years from now. Can we be adaptive? There is little choice. What we do need
to do well is foresee our future opportunities and lead Powerland in a direction
that will ensure a future, and a continuing contribution to the communities
around us and the general public.
Is there a suggestion here
that the Vision Plan that we adopted is out of date? Not at all! That plan lays
out a framework for the future Powerland. What is being discussed here is how
we achieve that vision successfully. As an example, the Steam-Up and Powerland
has acquired the reputation of being a family oriented show and site. That is a
real and growing strength for the site.
We can build on the strength in
providing a place where folks can escape the rigors and worries of modern life
for a bit of time, and enjoy the simplicity of earlier periods. We are
translating heritage into an experience, and an enjoyable and informative
experience! That is no small accomplishment and one that will demand energy and
commitment to continue!
We must not lose sight of
what is being accomplished at Powerland!