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They had now restructured the farming part of the operation, but what they did with the other buildings is amazing. Chuck’s background in construction and Diane’s flair for design all came together with their two-year renovation. They recently added cupolas to the buildings that were purchased from a cupola collector. They liked the cupolas so much that they added them to almost every outbuilding, which gives the farm a unique look. “The Amish completed the big barn,” Chuck said. “They had a driver bring them and fluffed and buffed it. We added the second floor and big doors to move things in and out of the building. There was originally a haymow and a milking parlor.” The Schneiders placed their orchard tractors in the cattle buildings. What did they do to renovate these buildings? “The building is heated and insulated. It stays at 46 degrees. We also run a dehumidifier.” The collection- the orchards As a couple, Diane is the one that handles the antique tractors. “My father has always been involved with tractors,” says Diane who grew up on a dairy farm share. “Chuck always said if he got a tractor, it would be an orchard. The main focus of our collection is orchard tractors,” Chuck said. “I like steam lined things. I found the first tractor five years ago. I bought a 1941 McCormick Deering O4.” Their goal is to have one of every type of orchard tractor made. They have made a good dent in achieving just that. “There are only about five or six more that we need” shared Diane. Besides displaying the tractors, the Schnediers also place a sign next to the tractor that states the serial number and where it came from. ”Some of these are pretty rare such as the Case RO styled and unstyled,” Chuck said. |
The gas station office is where the Schneiders bring groups to begin their tours. The main office is a mini museum of gas station type memorabilia. “This is a reception area,” Chuck shared. In the rear of the building is the Schneiders truck collection. The 1948 Nash Wrecker that came from Nebraska is parked in one of the bays. It was only available to Nash dealers. They also have a 1949 Nash Wrecker. There is also a neat old 1947 Chevy fire truck along with fire station memorabilia. Also on display is a 1947 General Motors Stake truck. Diane also enjoys driving their 1947 Fargo truck. “I have always been in something with motors,” she shared. At one time, she even worked at an auto dealership. |
This private museum is one that the Schneiders open to friends and family and at times for clubs and groups. It is not a stuffy place, but an “Oh my” museum that escapes from the viewer’s lips over and over again while seeing rare orchard tractors, amazing trucks, cars and scenes set to match the collectibles and family related items in the big red barn. The farms past & renovation The first question one wants to know is how did the Scheiders get started? “Thirty to forty years ago, this was a sheep farm. They had 1500 head,” Chuck shared. “Twenty years ago an industrialist bought the farm as a weekend place to bring his customers and grandkids.” Chuck added, “They were very family oriented. When he died, his wife kept the place for another 15 years. The farm manager, Howard Brandt, ran it and they raised Highland cattle. This was a gentleman’s farm with 240 acres and they raised this and that.” In time, the owner’s son told his mother it was time to sell. Chuck and Diane thought this was a chance of a lifetime to get out to the farm and find a place to keep their growing collection. “The collection came before the farm,” Chuck said. Prior to moving to the country, Diane ran a conference center for executives and while she said she loved it, she was always on call. The chance to retreat to this wonderful farm was too good to pass up. The Schneiders offered the owner a very unusual chance to sell it all. “We bought everything, the contents of the farm, house, furniture, equipment, cattle and even the cats. They were great to do business with.” |
The home furnishings left behind fit in wonderfully with their own. They added a breezeway, and soon the Schneiders were settling in. Diane said that originally the dog was going to go with the farm manager. Over time, though she found that this shepherd mix was following her everywhere. Now she could not bear to part with that dog she originally thought she did not want or need. That dog has since passed away but now they have a Lab that is a part of the Schneider family! Before the couple moved to moved to the farm, they had purchased a train caboose. “It was an engagement present in lieu of an engagement ring,” Diane shared. “Chuck asked me which I’d rather have a ring or a caboose.” Diane said there was no contest on which one to pick. “We were actually married in front of the 1926 Erie caboose,” she added. The caboose took up residence at the new farm and then they went to work on the other items in earnest. They sold off the equipment we didn’t need and kept the cattle for six to eight more months. They finally decided to donate some of the cows and sell off others. “We now legitimately farm 160 acres of the two hundred and forty in which we alternate soy beans and corn,” stated Chuck. |
The Barn, the crowning glory The “Oh my!” factor really ratchets up when walking into the Schneiders beautiful red barn. Just before to going inside the main portion of the building are the restrooms, which are decorated with certain historical time period pieces. Once inside the main portion, there are tractors, signs, and scenes from original buildings on display. A barbershop from Diane’s hometown and a 23’ long Art Deco bar made in Chicago are just a couple unique items in this building. Not surprising, tractors and cars are also a major portion of the display. Many of the items inside this barn have sentimental value to Diane because they have family connections. “A lot is so special because it belonged to people I know, like my grandfather’s shoeshine.” The highlights of the barn is determined by a collectors own preference. Those that love old antiques and buildings will be delighted with the details that Diane set up like an old electric perm station from a beauty parlor. The Minneapolis Moline fans will gravitate directly to the corner with the UOPN and the UDLX. Car fans will be riveted to the 1939 Shark Nose Graham car. Neon signs abound providing a dealership like atmosphere. Some of Chuck’s favorite tractors on display include the section that houses Michigan tractors like the Love, Friday and Kaywood. Another unique machine parked in the building is a Parrett tractor, which was also designed by the same man who designed the Bradley tractor. One tractor that has immeasurable value is the Minneapolis Moline Z that Diane said was the first one purchased by her father and mother John and Dot Flis. “It was purchased in 1945 the first day of Pheasant hunting season,” Diane shared. |
The Flis love of travel and many of their antiques have been passed down to Diane. “My parents took a 1940 International truck and built a house on the back. They called it “the Shack”. They travel all over. My parents are too much fun. My dad made me a replica of it. I’m stuck in a time warp I think.” This love of travel is reflected in Diane’s own travel trailer that she takes on the road with a group called the Tin Can Tourists. Hers is a 1932 Rear Porch Trailer that she says was custom made for the owner of the Martin Dairy Company in Welland, Ontario Canada. “The Martins were not Dairy Farmers, but rather manufactured dairy products. They were apparently quite wealthy and had several homes, a chauffeur etc. The trailer was used for normal periodic recreation, and was used in parades and on special occasions since it has a large rear platform for the local dignitaries to stand. When the Martins passed away, they willed the trailer to their chauffer who had it for a short time. He sold it to a Welland, Ontario couple and then we purchased it in 2001.” The upstairs of the barn offers an amazing view out of the huge windows. Once the eye travels away from the panoramic view, it lingers on little vignettes that include a variety of subjects from farm, movie, post office, sewing room, hunting camp, airport and locker room. “We created the second floor trying to maintain a barn look,” Chuck said. Chuck’s Office & the Cars Not usually part of the tour, Chuck’s office was open to us for a quick peek so we could see his amazing loft above the garage where the car collection is kept. His office is a masculine lair with the shaggy head of a Highland cow, and other animal items. He had a personal collection of one-armed bandits that added interest to this truly business space. Again, like the upstairs of the barn, the view is amazing. The tour ended where the Diane and Chuck’s story began, with the cars. “We met when I was showing my 1932 street rod,” Diane said. She has had her street rod for 20 years and it was at a car show that Chuck approached her. Diane created her car using the 283 engine out of her father’s dump truck. Chuck has beautiful Mercury and the couple shares an amazing 1935 Delage roadster. “This is a French car that was produced only one year. It was shown at the Paris auto show originally. We showed it at the Pebble Beach auto show.” Chuck prefers the sales and Diane likes the shows. Together this couple has gathered an amazing array of collectible items that has caught the attention of many. They have been profiled in a variety of publications and probably will be written about in many more in the future. Two people gathering items they love and sharing it with others who love to look. What more could anyone ask for? |
The Schneiders, a Monumental Collection by Cindy Ladage |
Upon arrival at the Schneiders farmstead in Lapeer, Michigan, I was in awe by the beauty of the scenery. A lovely farmhouse sits amongst a huge red barn, a train caboose, an old-fashioned gas station and other out buildings that once housed a livestock operation. While the outside scene is pristine and beautiful against the Michigan Landscape, a collector will hold his or her breath once admitted inside the buildings. The pristine restorations and artful arrangement of Chuck and Diane Schneider’s personal treasures can only be defined in one word: “museum.” |
Throughout this entire building are fully restored orchard tractors. A few of the tractors in the collection that stood out were the McCormick W30, and an International Harvester 504 diesel with hydraulic lift. “This was a junker I found in North Carolina. It is pretty rare,” said Chuck. Down the row is a Twin City orchard JTO, Case 730, 630, 530, 400, DO and Model D vineyard. The vineyard tractor is different from the orchard tractor. “It is narrower,” Chuck explained. “There were more orchards made. We also have an Oliver Hart Parr 70 orchard and vineyard. There is about 3-4 inches difference. The Oliver 70 vineyard is super rare.” Another neat tractor is a Plymouth orchard, which was built in Plymouth, Ohio. These were the forerunners to the Silver King tractors after the manufacturer changed their name for the Plymouth Car Company. “There were only 289 Plymouths made total,” Chuck shared. Perhaps one of the rarest orchards they own is the 1937 Massey Harris Pacemaker Vineyard that Chuck believes is the only one known to exist. “We think it is the only one in the world. The rear axle is six-inches less than the orchard model.” The Schneiders also have another unique orchard tractor in their collection that they found out about in an unusual way. “We learned that there was such a thing as a Rumley Oil Pull orchard when we were at one of Kurt Aumann's auctions. He had literature for sale and it was an orchard brochure.” Soon after purchasing the literature, they acquired a Rumley Oil Pull orchard from a man in Nappanee, Indiana. “It is complicated to run; it was built in the early 1900’s.” Their Case 400 LP came from Florida. “A Case dealer in Florida named Pound did the conversion and came up with the idea of using the LP. That is why they call this a Pound Special,” Chuck said. They also have a Minneapolis Moline Jetstar orchard from the 1950’s and a Fordson Dexta that they bought at the Florida Flywheelers show. Besides the orchard tractors, they also have an electric bumper car and a David Bradley Tri-track that previously belonged to the farm manager. There are also many artistic touches which Chuck said, “Are Diane’s handy work.” An old coal and gas stove and a pop cooler like the one her mom got pop from are examples of the items of which many are family heirlooms. They have a neat apple sorter/grader that Diane restored. “It sorted apples by size, little, medium and large. A local orchard gave it to us. I do stuff like this on rainy days.” The Gas Station Office and the trucks! |