Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum Inc

AGSEM's blacksmithing program, which was started in 1982, is a great asset for Southern California. Our program serves groups such as Boy Scouts, Young Marines, and trains people to volunteer at other forges.With our Blacksmith Education Program in high demand and heavily impacted, waiting lists extend 18 weeks or more. Often requests go unfulfilled. People are unable to get the timely training that they need to volunteer at other blacksmith venues and parks.This building will help alleviate the long waiting lists. Also we'll be able to expand programs to include areas such as welding and fabricating. Furthermore, in the clean, well-lighted and ventilated classroom -- the Bohn Industrial Arts Classroom -- we'll offer enrichment classes such as precious metal work, jewelry making, and metal sculpting. Our program is supported by members and non-members alike. Since August, 2014 we've raised over $87,250 for the facility. Please donate and help complete this important project.

Susie Henzie is a well-known collector, author and authority on textile arts and equipment. During a lifetime of travel she has acquired a world-class collection of spinning wheels and looms. It dates back to the 17th Century and contains Guatemalan, Japanese, Norwegian, English and American artifacts. Susie's Depression Era looms are significant because they were used in the WPA, CCC, and NRA programs. Other artifacts were used in productions such as Roots, Practical Magic, and Marcus Welby, M.D. Although several major metropolitan museums expressed interest in it, Henzie has donated her collection to AGSEM. Our museum plans an approximately 3500 s.f. building to house the collection and associated enrichment education and demonstration areas. The initial estimate for the project is $550,000. Since February, 2015 members and friends of AGSEM's Fiber Artists and Weavers have donated and pledged over $135,000 to the Spinning Wheel building's construction fund.

AGSEM's Museum Growth Fund provides for maintenance of the collections and facilities we've worked so hard over 39 years to build. Each year projects are selected to benefit from the campaign's funds. This year AGSEM will restore a circa 1931 Available truck. We've had this 'rare bird' donated from a local business. It's critical that the body be restored immediately in order to avoid losing this relic due to wood deterioration. This truck, one of AGSEM's movie stars, was used in scenes of The Changeling. Actress Angelina Jolie was seated in its back. Historical Significance: Established in 1910, the Available Truck Company of Chicago produced approximately 2,500 specialty trucks over 47 years. Our Available truck has considerable historical significance. Our curator's research revealed only one other Available truck of this type. It is described in Lost Truck Legends authored by Robert Gabrick. Also we will add a patio the front of AGSEM's banquet hall, improving its serviceability.

Creating gift through AGSEM's Legacy Society is a process that includes several steps. First is pinpointing your interests at AGSEM. Then forge the future by creating a gift that will support the interest area or program of your choice. Museum director, Rod Groenewold can assist you with this process. ""Your Remembrance Program"" gifts may be made on-line or through the mail. The "Your Remembrance Program" was created by lifetime member and former Board Member, George Bohn. The program provides members and friends of the Museum a way to recognize or honor individuals who are or have been important in their lives and in AGSEM's history. Donations toward the ""Your Remembrance Program"" are placed in the Museum's Endowment Fund. Only interest generated each year by investing the Endowment Fund may be used on museum projects. All those being recognized or honored and their donors will have their names permanently inscribed in a "Remembrance Book" on display in the Museum Gift Shop.