The group officially known as the Northwest Pennsylvania Steam Engine and Old Equipment Association Incorporated (often called simply the "Portersville Steam Show" by many) is one of many similar groups formed in the 50's and 60'S around the nostalgia and mystique of the steam traction engine, and threshing process.
Our club, as with many, was built around a single engine, a 1911 Case, owned at that time by Charles McMurray. Fortunately this engine is still a prominent part of our club, now owned, and displayed by the family of the late Wendell Bintrim. Interests of the members have widened to include vintage automobiles, gasoline tractors, small gas engines, industrial and house hold items. Oil field equipment, part of our indigenous locale has also become a prominent part of our show.
The club was formally organized in 1963. After several years showing at such places as the New Castle Fair, the Butler Fair, and the Lancaster Township community center (which featured a restored one room school house), the club bought the current property, once an abandoned strip mine, located on the north edge of the village of Portersville, Pa., in 1975. Additional purchases have brought the show grounds to its current size of 20+ acres. We now hold 3 shows per year, the 3rd weekend in May, the first weekend in August, and the first weekend in October. Exhibitors are admitted free to the shows, membership is not required to exhibit.
Portersville Steam Show has a large variety of activities for all. We have sawmilling, cider pressing, gas engines, tractors, blacksmith, trading post, log home, barn animals, train rides, steam engines, flea markets, crafts, great food, carpenters shop, print shop, tons of tractors, large traction engines, ice cream, tractor pulls, pedal power, machine shop, steam building, tractor pulls, and much ,much more.