If you weren’t with us, then you missed another great day ! The weather was a little warm, but that didn’t stop the 36 members that joined us for our June, Honk Rattle & Roll road trip to Portland TN., that included lunch at 5Chefs and a tour of ‘The Days Gone By Museum’.
The group met in Smyrna and left on time at 9:00am and followed a great route once again planned and pre-run by Russ & Pat Barnes. We had a rest stop at the half way mark, met some others there and continued on to Portland, arriving on time at 11:00 for lunch at 5Chefs. They were able to seat all of us as soon as we arrived and they spread us throughout the lower level dining rooms just as they promised. The service was excellent and the food was wonderful ! The place was much more than just a really nice restaurant, but also had a huge gift shop that was spread out thru numerous rooms of the beautiful old renovated home.
We left the restaurant about 12:30 and it didn’t take long to reach the Museum. We could tell when we pulled in that we were in the right place after seeing a 1943 Douglas DC-3 from WWII, an older passenger bus from the 50’s, plus a real old train Caboose, all on the front lawn.
‘The Days Gone By Museum’ is located on the grounds of the old Davis Cabinet Factory, which I remember my family having furniture in the house that was made there.
We were greeted by Lisa at the front counter and it wasn’t long before the owner Joey Collins joined us. He gave us a little bit of his collecting history and saying that he had a little of everything just doesn’t tell the story ! His collection included over 120 antique tractors, some dating from the turn of the century. Add to that antique toys, signs, old wood farm wagons, steam engines, farm implements, tools, race cars, hot rods, motorcycles, plus so much more. There was pretty much something for everyone.
My brother and I thought one of the oddest and most interesting groups of the collection was the dozens of old small one cylinder engines, lawnmowers, and old washing machines. They had an entire wall of old wooden drum washing machines that Joey bought from an older gentleman that had amassed the collection over many years. The only way he was able to convince the man to part with them is to promise him that he would never break up the collection.
People left on their own, but my brother & I stayed and talked to Joey another hour or so learning so much more about so many of the pieces, especially how he came by some of the old tractors. His knowledge and memory is unbelievable and we enjoyed our time so much !
Before we left we met his wife, Kathleen and learned if we come back, she may let us into the adjoining building which is accumulating ‘her collectables’, made up of more the feminine side, like dolls, furniture, dishes, clothes and who knows what else !
For those that went…I hope you enjoyed it !! I know I have to go back, because Cindy was recovering from surgery and missed it.
Till Next Time……………..Rick Jones
Portland Photos – Thanks Arleen
