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| John Deere Pavilion marries the new with old JD favorites |
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The John Deere Collector’s Center closed officially by the end of October last year, much to the dismay of many JD enthusiasts. The center had a feeling of an old-time John Deere dealership and visitors could see older Deere machines and even view some in the restoration process.
Along with sadness at closing the center that had been open for the previous seven years, there were also some recollections of good times, by some of its employees. In the Plowshares fall issue, Brian Holst, manager of the center, commented on its closing: “I think I heard as many tall tractor tales here during the last week of October as I did during the seven years leading up to it.”
Holst added that many of the items at the center found a new home at the John Deere Pavilion. “The boxes that we packed up didn’t go in the dumpster,” he explained. “Some went down the street to the John Deere Pavilion, where the staff is beginning to plan displays that will highlight John Deere’s heritage of innovation, alongside of the high-tech equipment that the company produces today.”
This plan was confirmed in an interview with the Quad Cities Online where Deere & Co. stated the move to close the center was made to “consolidate its tourism activities in downtown Moline by enhancing the John Deere Pavilion with new exhibits and a more comprehensive focus.”
“The goal is to provide visitors with one place to experience the global nature of John Deere and the company’s great history and heritage of advanced technologies and innovative products,” said Al Higley, manager of John Deere branded properties.
Although no longer open, the Collector’s Center may still serve as an auction site and a place where collector activities occur. Those who have visited the John Deere Pavilion lately may have seen some of the older collectibles on the floor with this new direction of serving both agricultural information, as well as what is old and what is new with JD.
According to Deere’s website, “The John Deere Pavilion was created as a celebration of the past, present and future of agribusiness. It has attracted guests from all corners of the globe and is recognized as the world’s most comprehensive agricultural exhibit.”
During February, visitors were able to view a combination of these items. There was a Waterloo Boy and a John Deere D on the floor, along with a new 7550 and a hay mower made in Germany. What began in 1848 with a self-scouring plow has moved into a worldwide company that produces agricultural, commercial and a wide array of other equipment all around the globe.
Those visiting the Pavilion can learn from the interactive exhibits and see and climb on John Deere equipment, getting a feel for what it is like to work with these amazing machines.
The Pavilion has been going strong since opening in 1997 and is no doubt a popular place to visit. According to the website, visitors “have shown a preference to gain a full understanding of the company’s history and future in one location. Enhancements will move the Pavilion’s focus from being solely agricultural to include Deere’s full range of products and services offered across the globe.”
While the Pavilion is wonderful, with its modern design and less homey atmosphere, many JD enthusiasts beg to differ a bit with the comment that they prefer going to one site. Many miss the old, but the past is the past and the Pavilion is enhanced and ready to greet visitors from near and far.
The John Deere Pavilion is located at 1400 River Drive in Moline, Ill. The phone number is 309-765-1000 and the hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. |
| 3/25/2009 |
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