When giving a tour of the Rough & Tumble Museum, 4997 Lincoln Highway East, Kinzers, museum volunteer Kathleen Hazzard points out the buildings that represent the many organizations that make up the group. "That's the horse-drawn museum. That building is antique cars, and that's the blacksmith shop," she notes, but then she pauses to explain how strongly she believes in the message of the organization. "We are preserving America's agricultural and industrial history because it's really important to remember where we came from as we go forward," Hazzard said.

Not only is the Rough & Tumble Museum, which covers 33 acres along Route 30 near Paradise, working to preserve history, but it is also working to correct misinformation about the group itself. "People don't know we're open to the public," explained Hazzard. "We are a membership-based, board of directors-run museum, but everyone is welcome."

Bud Burdy, current Rough & Tumble president, echoed Hazzard. "We continually learn that no one knows we exist and that we are open to the public," said Burdy, who is hoping to bring STEM classes, Scout troops, school groups, and others to the museum. He noted that younger people are welcome to come and learn about the 12 or so diverse groups, which include a machine shop and a large engine group, that fall under the museum's umbrella. "It's not just an all-boys' club," Burdy pointed out. "We have more and more ladies involved."

Rough & Tumble traces its roots to the 1940s, when Arthur Young, who owned a tractor business across the road from the museum's location, organized a reunion, eventually buying the Myer Farm, which became Rough & Tumble. The organization will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2023. A full slate is planned for 2022. On Saturday, April 23, the Antique and Classic Tractor Pull will be held. No admission will be charged, and gates will open at 8 a.m. "Our pulling committee has made some dramatic positive changes in the last five years," said Hazzard of the kickoff event.

The Spring Steam-Up will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 13, and 14, with a tractor pull at 6 p.m. on May 13, and demonstrations of plowing with vintage equipment. "People love to come and watch us plow the fields with antique tractors and steam tractors," said Hazzard. On Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25, the International Harvester Club Chapter 9 will hold an event on the museum grounds, and Rough & Tumble will hold a tractor pull the same weekend. During John Deere Days, Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23, the Waterloo Boys turn the scenery special shades of green and yellow, with a Parade of Power and more. The 74th annual Threshermen's Reunion will be held Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 17 to 20. The event features a daily Parade of Power and the Pageant of Threshing. The final event of the year is the Time of Harvest Show on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8. the child-focused event includes pumpkin painting, a children's pedal pull, and a candy drop from a tall crane.

Information about the organization may be found by visiting http://www.roughandtumble.org or calling 717-442-4249.