Will County Threshermen's Association

The members of the Will County Threshermen’s Association continue to share their interest and passion for engines, steam engines, tractors and machinery. Our annual show takes place in late July where we welcome you, our visitors, to come and see what engines and tractors looked like many years ago. You will also see how equipment has changed and farming practices have modernized. Our area, has a rich agricultural history; we invite you to our show, near Manhattan, IL, to come and share it with us. View more information about our show on our website. Our History. In August of 1963, Ray Kestel originated a yearly threshing bee on the Ed Kestle farm in Will County, Illinois. In subsequent years, the show was held at the Ray Kestle farm, three mile south of New Lenox, Illinois. On February 15, 1966, Ray called a meeting to propose that an organization be formed to support the annual show celebrating old-time agricultural methods. The forty-five men in attendance approved Ray’s plan, and the Will County Threshermen’s Association was born. Ray served as the club’s president for its first five years. Ray and his son, Ken, were active member of WCTA and owned a Keck Gounerman Steam Engine, threshing machines, several tractors and gas engines. The organization’s purpose is to honor and preserve America’s agricultural legacy. It is especially appropriate that Will County host such an association, to preserve a significant chapter in American history that took place here.