Kregel Windmill Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kregel Wind Mill Company
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1416 Central Ave., Nebraska City, Nebraska |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque, Round Arch Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 93000061 |
| Added to NRHP | February 25, 1993 |
The Kregel Wind Mill Company used to make special machines called windmills in Nebraska City, Nebraska. These windmills helped pump water from wells for farms and homes. Today, the old factory building is a cool place called the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum. It's like stepping back in time to see how things were made long ago!
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History of the Kregel Windmill Company
The Kregel Wind Mill Company made windmills with a special name: "ELI." This name was a tribute to George Kregel's friend, Eli Huber. These "ELI" windmills were super important for farms and homes in southeastern Nebraska. They helped pump water from wells, making daily life much easier.
George F. Kregel was in charge of the company. In 1903, the company moved to its current building on Central Avenue. They kept making windmills there for 88 years!
The Old Factory Building
The factory building on Central Avenue is still standing and looks much like it did years ago. All the old machines and tools are still inside! Imagine a big open room with lots of cool equipment.
The machines in the factory got their power from a long rod called a line shaft. Leather belts connected the shaft to each machine. At first, a single engine powered the line shaft. But in the 1920s, the factory switched to electricity. This was a big change, making things even more modern for the time!
The company made over 2,000 windmills. They stopped making new windmills in the 1940s. After that, the Kregel family focused on fixing pumps and taking care of wells. They continued this work in the same building until 1991.
Inside the Factory Museum
The factory is a one-story building made of wood. It has a flat roof with two small openings called roof monitors. These helped let in light and fresh air. The front of the building looks like it's made of bricks, but it's actually covered in pressed sheet metal!
Inside, it's a big open space. There's also a small office area. What's really neat is that everything is still there! You can see old books on shelves, a telephone, pencils, and even an overcoat hanging on a hook. It's like the workers just stepped out for a moment.
Since September 2019, Isaiah Yott has been the main person in charge of the museum.
Amazing Machinery at the Factory
The Kregel Windmill Factory Museum has many old and interesting machines. These machines were used to build the windmills. Here are some of the cool tools you can see:
- Turret Lathe, from 1920
- Power shear, punch, and riveting machine, from 1875
- Metal-turning lathe, from 1865
- Drill presses, from 1900
- Broaching machine, from 1910
- Four-spindle production drill press, from 1900
- Pedestal grinder, from 1910
- Internal grinder, from 1910
- Drop hammer, from 1900
- Snag grinder, from 1900
- Cross-cutoff circular saw, from 1900
- Table saw, from 1900
- Thickness planer, from 1900
- Joiner, from 1900
- Sheet metal bench with tools, from 1910
- Sheet metal rolls, from 1900
- Beading machine, from 1900
- Sheet metal brake, from 1900
- Sheet metal shear, from 1900
- Power transmission system, from 1900
- Power hacksaw, from 1900
See also
- Agriculture museums in the United States
- List of museums in Nebraska
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Otoe County, Nebraska
