South East Wisconsin Antique Power and Collectibles Society (SEWAPCS) was organized on Wednesday, September 27, 1991, to preserve our agricultural past. Our first meeting was held on November 6, 1991, in the Union Grove Middle School Commons. Persons interested in old tractors, gas/”hit–n–miss” engines, farm machinery, garden machinery/implements, toys, crafts, or anything from the rural days gone by were (and still are) invited to attend. Fourteen interested people were present at the inaugural meeting.

On December 4, 1991, the newly formed society met again and many new faces were present. Our first “Fall Harvest Days” show date was set for September 19 and 20, 1992, and was to be held at the Racine County Fairgrounds, Union Grove, Wisconsin . The first officers and directors for the club were elected as follows: President — Mike Popp, Vice–President — Gary Hanson, Secretary/Treasurer — Katie Hanson, Directors — Harley Hanson, Wayne Dropp, Paul Mantey, and John Davidson.

In January, 1992, our first board meeting was held to discuss and formally accept membership dues, the club name, and details of the 1992 show. Admission charge for that first show was set at $2.00.

Attendance at the 1992 show was 898 for the two days and 41 new members were signed up throughout the weekend. There were at total of 124 exhibitors and vendors which included 83 gas engines, 67 tractors, 24 garden tractors, 9 working exhibits, 5 craft vendors, 5 toy displays, 10 farm toy vendors, and 4 flea market vendors. That first show was considered a success. During that first year our membership had grown to 107 families.

As membership continued to grow, new directors were added to the society in 1993. They were John Grimm and Roy Holler. Family memberships were now at 144 and our growth continued throughout the years. Presently our annual membership cost is $10.00. Admission to our fall show is currently $7.00 and attendance, for the two day show, is over 4500 people. We now fill the entire fairgrounds with our exhibitors/vendors, provide activities for the entire family, and sponsor an antique tractor pull. Our yearly tractor raffle has become a major highlight for all who attend.

A number of charities are sponsored by SEWAPCS and each year the club sponsors a tractor ride, picnic, plow day, and Christmas party. Our club is also active in assisting/supporting other local community events and groups throughout the year, including offering youth memberships. Anyone interested is encouraged to visit us wherever you see us and become a member of our organization. Membership forms are available on our “Forms” page of the website. We meet monthly on the first Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. at the Union Grove, Wisconsin American Legion Hall.

For more information or if you have a question about antique tractors you can email us from our Contact Us page or if you want you can send a letter to — SEWAPCS, P.O. Box 134, Union Grove, WI 53182