Peanut Museum seeks donations to honor industry

by Jimmy Lee

The prototype of the peanut combine designed by James L. Shepherd is on display at the Peanut Museum at the Georgia Agrirama.

The long awaited Peanut Museum, located at the Georgia Agrirama in Tifton, is making progress towards completion and an official opening. The museum, housed in a barn-styled building, is conveniently located at the entrance to the Georgia Agrirama site, just off I-75 in Tifton, at Exit 63B.

“We have a number of great pieces of equipment in the museum now, but we’re still accepting donations of anything anyone has that played a significant part in the history of the peanut industry, especially photographs from the early days of the crop,” John Phillips, chairman of the Peanut Museum committee, said. “In addition, we are earnestly encouraging financial donations from organizations and individuals so that we may complete the interior of the building and the museum displays.”

The museum building was constructed with a $200,000 donation from Mrs. James L. Shepherd in honor of her late husband. Shepherd, who led the Agricultural Engineering Department at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, built a prototype of a peanut combine that would ultimately help revolutionize the industry. His combine prototype is on display in the museum along with other pieces of equipment used in the early days of the peanut industry. Visitors can learn more about Shepherd’s life and his contributions to the industry through an educational display located near the combine.

Other planned exhibits will salute the Lilliston Corporation, manufacturer of the first commercial peanut combine in 1949 and Kelly Manufacturing Company, a Tifton based peanut equipment manufacturer.

Pictured from right, John Phillips, chairman of the Peanut Museum, presents a plaque to Rosalie Shepherd honoring her late husband, James L. Shepherd, for being a pioneer in the peanut industry.

Records show that prior to the development of the peanut combine, it took a day to harvest one acre of peanuts. Today, one worker can harvest an acre in 5 to 12 minutes with a six row combine, depending on various factors.

Another interesting feature in the museum will be a tribute to the boll weevil credited with devastating the cotton crop in the 1940s and prompting farmers to diversify their farming operations. It was the boll weevil that led farmers to begin producing peanuts and other crops in Georgia. Another special feature will be the Peanut Hall of Fame which will honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry through the years.

The 8,000 square foot museum includes a multimedia theater for lectures and media presentations. Eventually, interactive displays will be featured at displays throughout the building.

“We are excited about the potential the museum offers for tourism and education,” Phillips said. “We would like to be able to officially open the museum soon but financial support is needed to complete the work.”

Anyone interested in making a financial contribution or donating peanut memorabilia may contact the Georgia Agrirama Foundation at (229) 382-3321 or the Georgia Agrirama Curatorial Department at (229) 386-3344.

Jimmy Lee is a commodity specialist in the GFB Commodities/Marketing Department.