GMS Tractor Museum
ABOUT US
The GMS Tractor Museum was an idea that was formed long before its inception in April of 2021. Oscar Ginz has had a lifelong love for tractors, trucks and agriculture. His roots run deep into the heart of Minnesota. Having a mother who was originally from Minnesota, and grandparents that were from a rural farm county, Oscar frequently visited the “heartland”. Any opportunity he got, Oscar would find his way to a farm and into a tractor. As he grew up and took more of an interest in the family farm history, his love of antique tractors shined. From the first tractor he ever purchased, a 1944 Farmall A, Oscar’s collection has continually grown every year, adding more and more unique tractors.
The museum aspires to share Oscar’s love of antique machinery with others. It is an appreciation and remembrance of the time consuming and laborious way farming was, and when agriculture was a dominating industry in the United States. Many have forgotten that agriculture is a driving force in the US, and that it wasn’t always as easy. These old machines each tell a story, and we hope to bring that story to others through the museum.
Our Mission
To develop, maintain, operate and exhibit antique farm machinery for viewing by school groups, agricultural societies, antique machinery groups, and the general public.
Tribute
Gerald Marion Sales “Jerry” was born and raised on a farm in Clarissa, MN. Son of Marion and Viola Sales, and brother to Bonnie (Sales) Anderson. Jerry attended a one-room schoolhouse, like many rural farm kids, before going on to high school.
From the farm he went into the Army, serving in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division. After a stint as a DJ, Jerry returned home to Minnesota to attend St. Cloud State University. Married to his wife Donna and having 3 kids, Jerry was a lifelong teacher and tennis coach. That being said, Jerry may have left the farm but the farm never left him. He frequently visited, helped out, and brought his kids and grandkids there to visit.
Fast forward to 2010, his grandson, Oscar who always had a love for trucks and tractors, began to take a more serious interest in the old farm equipment they used to run. In typical teacher fashion, Jerry worked with and fostered that love of antique farm equipment. Over the next ten years, Jerry and Oscar (Donna too) formed a close relationship, even though they were 1,400 miles apart. They would talk on the phone almost daily, and Jerry's first question would be “What’s the tractor status?”. The visits to Minnesota went from a couple of times a year to over six times a year.
Oscar’s love for Minnesota, the farm, and antique farm equipment stem from that great impact he and Donna had on Oscar’s life. He was more than a grandfather to Oscar, he was his friend. Even after Jerry’s passing in 2020, Oscar still regularly visits the place he loves, spends time with Donna, and even spends time looking at old tractors.
He is greatly missed, each and every day, but the GMS Tractor Museum will continue to share the appreciation for antique farm equipment, as Jerry would want it to be.
Gerald M. Sales 1934-2020
