IFARM visitors see Northwest dairy history
at outdoor exhibit

Story and photos by Ryan Curtis

The Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum held its annual Live History Days on June 13-14, 2009. Exhibits featured horse-drawn manure spreaders, turn-of-the-century hay-hauling wagons and hand-cranked cream separators. Although the Jerome Historical Society, which exhibits the items at the museum, owns a decent collection of historical dairy-related items, donations to the museum are always welcome to help preserve the rich dairy heritage of the Northwest. Also, volunteers are needed who can help keep the antiques and buildings in proper order. To donate or volunteer, call Jim Rowe at (208) 736-8696. PD

Above: Kids practice milking a look-alike cow at the Live History Days in Jerome, Idaho, in June.

Above: These trucks were used in the ’40 and ’50s to transport 90-pound milk cans.

Above: Decorated milk cans used in parades and at IFARM to showcase for visitors how milk used to be hauled.

Above: One of the dairy stalls at IFARM; notice the hand-crank cream separator.

Above: One of the early milk tank trucks that replaced milk can pick-up trucks in the ’60s.