JARVIS An orchestra of vintage corn grinders and shellers could be heard at the Walpole Antique Farm Association compound on Monday.
Conducted by Jake Tapp, the machines hummed along separating kernels of corn from cobs and ears without missing a beat. The performance was part of the association’s heritage days celebration in Jarvis over the CIVIC Holiday weekend.
“I guess you could say I have a passion for this sort of thing,” Tapp said. “I love collecting these and restoring them.
“I honestly couldn’t put a value on them. To me, they’re priceless.”
The vintage machines Tapp and his wife Erica brought to the event included a 1911 Massey Harris ‘Blizzard” silage cutter – one of his most prized possessions.
“It was a real game changer because it could blow the corn into a silo,” Tapp said. “Before that the farmer would have to pick it up.
“It saved a lot of time.”
The couple also bought a Massey Harris corn grinder, which dates back to the early 1900s. The grinder was manufactured in Brantford.
Tapp said he enjoyed this year’s festival, but said he is already looking forward to returning to Jarvis in 2023.
“It’s going to be extra special for me that’s for sure,” Tapp said. “I had been looking for a 1933 Massey Harris four-wheel drive general purpose tractor for years and I finally found one.
“I bought it from a family in Port Perry and I’m going to have it restored and working by this time next year.”
The plan is to bring extended members of the family that he bought it from to next year’s Heritage Days so that they can see it running, Tapp said.
Tapp and Erica have another reason for participating in heritage days every year.
“This is where we met 12 years ago,” Tapp said.
Heritage days began July 30 and included an appearance by the Gentlemen of Harmony of Simcoe, a car show, tours of the old Jarvis Train Station as well as a display of antique tractors and other farm equipment. There were also rides for children, a petting zoo and thrashing demonstrations.
The train station was moved to the association’s compound at the south end of Jarvis in 2017 and has been transformed into a museum. It is filled with old posters, signs and artifacts.
There is also a display dedicated to the railway and its importance to the community. Built in 1906, the station was previously in the north end of the town where the Tim Hortons is now located.
“At one time, the train meant everything to the community,” said Bill Fess, an association volunteer who spent most of the weekend greeting visitors who wanted to tour the old train station. “It was the community’s lifeline, a hub activity for people and freight.
Started in 1994, the association is one of the largest heritage association’s in Ontario. The association has 11 buildings on its 25-acre compound at 2050 Highway 6 and has more than 200 vintage tractors, steam engines and other farm implements.
“A lot of people look forward to our heritage days every year,” Fess said. “They come from far and wide.”
It was the first time heritage days has been held since the start of the pandemic.
“It feels really good to be back,” Fess said. “It’s really nice to see folks getting out and enjoying themselves.”
The train station is open Wednesday afternoons from 1 pm to 4 pm
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