The oldest known John Deere tractor is among the personal belongings a Washington State resident is donating to two museums, according to a published report.
The collection of the Forks resident, estimated to be worth as much as $3 million, will be split between two museums: one in Aberdeen and the Western Heritage Center Interactive Museum at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.
"These are things people have never seen before," Jerry Senner, president of the Center's board, told The Daily Herald. "We hope to be the largest heritage museum in the county."
But in order to take on the donation, the Center will have to expand its size, which presently measures 3,000 square feet. The Snohomish County Council recently approved expansion for the museum that pays tribute to farming, logging, mining and transportation. The museum aspires to add an additional 20,000 square feet.
Working with Snohomish County officials, museum staffmembers are designing the architectural and engineering plans and they plan to apply to foundations for funding assistance. Construction and renovation is estimated to cost about $1.6 million and the center is aiming to embark on the renovation during the summer.
Oldest known Deere tractor believed to be among donor's collection
A Washington State museum is looking to expand so it may make room for a collection including the oldest known John Deere tractor.