History
On July 15, 1919 the Nebraska Tractor Law known as House Roll 85, 37th session was enacted by the Nebraska State Legislature to encourage the manufacture and sale of improved types of tractors. (tractor testing statutes). A tractor testing laboratory facility was constructed on the agricultural campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.The first successful Nebraska Tractor Test was started March 31, 1920. The pioneer tractor tests became worldwide standards. Since 1920, tractor testing and performance data has contributed to more successful uses of tractors in agriculture.
Nebraska Tractor Test 001 Waterloo Boy 1920
| In 1980, tractor testing moved to a new larger facility and the old laboratory became recognized as a Historic Landmark by the American Society of Agricultural Engineering. For the next 10 years, the historic building deteriorated while Lester Larsen and students from the University of Nebraska utilized the building for restoring tractors. Larsen initiated the preservation of the historic tractor testing facility to the extent that a Tractor Museum Committee was established by the Governor of Nebraska who appointed an Antique Farm Equipment and Machinery Commission in 1991 (LB 838). |  Lester F. Larsen |
A nonprofit corporation was established in 1994 recognized today as the Friends of the University of Nebraska Tractor Test and Power Museum. The purpose of the Friends organization was to bring together people to restore the original Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory into a museum and preserve its collections through establishing an endowment for continual financial support.
The Museum was named after Lester F. Larsen in 1998.
Mission
To be the premier steward of advancements in agricultural technology through the development of collections, exhibits and programs for public benefit.Adopted October 20th, 2008
Vision
The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum is currently establishing an advisory council for the development of a vision document. For more information or to participate, contact us.Governance
The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum is remotely governed by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Museum governance is delegated from the Board of Regents to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) through a Letter of Agreement.In 2009, joint governance was established for the museum to partition governing responsibilities between different entities as recommended by the American Association of Museums. Through a Memorandum of Understanding the museum is jointly governed by BSE and the Friends of the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum.
The Friends are of good standing as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with the Nebraska Secretary of State. Articles of Incorporation, Amendments, Notice of Incorporation, Affidavit of Publication and the above mentioned agreements along with the Bylaws of the Friends provide the foundational documents for the oganizations participation in the museum governance.
With proper governance structure established, the Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test & Power Museum is striving to reach governance standards set forth in the museum field. This pursuit is being enhance through enrollment in the StEPs Program through American Association of State and Local History (AASLH).
Museum governance is assessed annually and Annual Goals are established to improve governance. These goals are enhanced with objectives, timelines and responsible parties.
Policies and Procedures are currently being developed to provide the museum with a solid governance structure as illustrated in the museum's Diagram of Governance.
The Museum Manual serves as a reference for museum governance and operations. This document is annually revised and distributed to museum staff and members of the museum's governing authority.
