(Nebraska City)--Who says time travel isn't possible? In a way it is very much possible if you travel to the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum in Nebraska City.

Why? Because from the moment you walk through the door you literally walk into an environment that's basically been left untouched since 1939.

Board member, Dave Silcox, not only has a passion for the history of Kregel windmills but also has one on display, a restored Kregel windmill up and still functional on his farm near Percival.

Silcox (right in photo) and fellow board member Duane Smith (left in photo) say the ingenious George Kregel started building his Eli brand windmills in 1903 in a single-story factory building on Central Avenue. He and his son, Arthur, who followed him in the family business are gone now but their factory remains largely untouched and is the only surviving intact historic windmill factory known to exist in the United States.

The windmill-building machines and parts are still in place and many are still functional with one lathe machine in particular going all the way back to the era of the Civil War. And yes, it sill works very well! When you step into the office you'll feel as though you've been transported directly to 1939 as everything in the space is exactly as it was 73 years ago right down to the vintage phones and "disappearing" typewriter!

The future of the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum is exciting as the board is working on the installation of interactive displays, video stations, a hands-on children's activity area as well as a gift shop.

When you visit the museum you'll see how Americans have used and continue to use the renewable power of the wind to enhance the quality of human life.

If you'd like more information on the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum in Nebraska City at 1416 Central Avenue, just go to www.kregelwindmillfactorymuseum.org. If you'd like to visit the museum you won't be able to miss it, just look for the big Kregel Windmill across the street!



   

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