Dan Blaney’s Antique Snowmobile Museum, John Fredrickson & more!
Have you been to an antique snowmobile museum? The Antique Snowmobile Museum is the only one in Indiana, it is owned by antique snowmobile enthusiast Dan Blaney. We learned about the museum from our friend John Fredrickson that lives in Kentland, Indiana. My husband Keith and Tim and Roxie Siefert stopped in Morocco on our way to Shipshewana at the end of October. Before heading to the museum though, we stopped and met up with John and took a quick tour of his amazing Farmall Red Museum.
This is one of the beauties that John had at the Half Century of Progress. John has an extensive museum. He just recently resigned his position as co-chair of the Half Century. But he still finds time to share his collection and meet up with friends.
John helped direct us to the Antique Snowmobile Museum, then he went on his way and met up with us for lunch at the fun Mel’s Downtown diner.
The beginning.
Dan’s law office is in a beautiful old building erected in 1899 that was a former Lodge. “They built a new building in 2001,”Dan said, so I bought this building.
His primary antique snowmobile museum is in the back. Dan first became interested in snowmobiles in the 70’s when he went snowmobiling with his three kids. When we were there we got a chance to meet his grandson Daniel who was helping Dan hang signs in his annex museum.
Dan’s collection started after his wife Donna got him a sign that said, “Antique Snowmobile Museum” originally as a joke. “He had an old John Deere snowmobile, and I had a sign made for him for Christmas in 2003 or 2004.”
Dan took it in stride. Next thing Donna knew, she came into the office one day and said, “Where’s Dan?” He was down in the basement with his new “museum”. “It started in one room, then another, then the basement,” Donna said.
The Collection
Dan has an amazing array of snowmobiles. Models include a Mercury, Raider, Yamaha, Massey Ferguson, Ski Whiz, and Arctic Cat. Some Skidoos that came from a museum in Quebec. There are also a lot of John Deere skimobiles, and the Deere collection will be profiled in an upcoming issue of Green Magazine! Behind the original museum connected to the law office is the Deere snow mobile area! This 576 square foot addition was built in 2017.
What makes his museum great fun is the corresponding memorabilia.
Dan’s collection spans the decades. “The 1964’s are the oldest,” Dan said. He added his Sno-Traveler with the rear engine is his oldest model. Then there is a newer converted snowmobile made into a Yamaha Snow motorcycle!
Dan also enjoys motorcycles. “I ride a 2012 Yamaha US Airforce bike. I go on a retired Veteran’s ride.”
The ag connection
It is interesting to see the agricultural connection. Companies like Massey Harris and even Wheelhorse, Bohlens and Deere made snowmobiles. Names are also fun, like the Bohlens Diablio Rouge. Each model has a sign telling its history like the 1970 Edmund Hillary Sears that was manufactured by OMC for Sears Outdoor Marine Corporation.
Dan’s 1964 Arctic Cat was used by the State of Illinois in McHenry County by the Snow bugs Snowmobile Club as a Groomer.
Dan’s museum is open Monday – Friday from 8-5 and weekends but you must make an appointment. Call 219-285-2008. It is a fun look into this winter sport!
Das Essenhaus and shops
After a fun meal in Morrocco, we headed for Das Essenhaus where we had reservations. We took time to go through the Village Shops. I had stayed here after learning about it through press trips.
A beautiful hotel, it is made to visit and kick back. Das Essenhaus is also one of my favorite area restaurant. They offer fried chicken, noodles and oh yes PIE!
Located in Middlebury, in 2022, I took Keith here for Christmas, and we had breakfast with Sonya Harmon Nash the Executive Director of Explore LaGrange County, which encompasses Shipshewana and beyond!
Shopping in Middlebury
Our first stop was the next day was Varns & Hoover Hardware. They have been in business for over 133 years! Roxie and I found a few items, the first of many.
Tim was as enamored with Keith’s favorite stopping place Shipshe Farm Supply They sell horse drawn equipment. We had to watch them show us the cart that can operate by itself.
On to Shipshewana!
I have been traveling this road often lately. Recently I came for the beautiful LaGrange Country Barn Tour sponsored by the Indiana Barn Foundation.
We headed to the Davis Mercantile which has origins that date back to 1891. This is a fun stop, with a 1909 Dentzel carousel at the top! All horses and animals are hand carved. While here, you have to ride the carousel. You also have to take your picture with the angel wings!
We shopped for bulk food, went to Menno-Hof to learn about the Amish and Mennonite religious history. After our tour, the boys took a break.
The Blue Gate was transitioning from fall to Christmas, and we loved seeing the shops and decorations!
Unexpected Stops in beautiful Indiana!
One delightful, and totally unexpected stop was Miller’s Cider Mill. On their website they share, “Miller’s Cider Mill, located in the heart of Middlebury, Indiana, is a charming family-owned establishment that has been producing exceptional cider for generations. Known for its scenic property along the Elkhart River, the mill offers a serene environment perfect for families looking to enjoy fresh, locally sourced products.”
We received a wonderful tour of how the apples are turned to cider. Buying a jug of Cider, we had to take it home to try it. The scenery along this river is amazing!
The last unexpected stop was Doud Orchards in Denver, Indiana. This beautiful barn was built in 1894. It was filled with apples, cider and more. It was a happy place! One of the oldest orchards in Indiana, Doud Orchards is a place to return again and again!
It is so helpful when friends share information about their fantastic finds. Thank you, John Frederickson, for sharing your museum, and telling us about Dan’s! Snowmobiles, Amish food, orchards and more! We are just waiting for Tim to ask us, “where are we going next” to find some new fun filled adventures!
