Vacuum Collector's Convention

[dysonman1]

The second weekend in June always finds the Vacuum Collectors visit to the "Mecca" of the vacuum collecting hobby - the Vacuum Cleaner Museum in St. James, Missouri.

Collectors came from all over America traveling many miles to attend. They brought great treasures to SHARE with each other, we had a service clinic where we repaired and restored machines, we visited members homes to view their collections, and held a fantastic (free) barbeque for everyone on the final day. We got an extended tour of the factory, and had a drawing for a Maytag M-1200 (Congratulations Ryan).

More than anything else, we shared stories and gossip with each other - and LAUGHED all weekend long. A Good Time Was Had By All.

Here's a picture of some of the guys arriving for the first day - bringing in their treasures. There were Hoovers galore, and I didn't even have to wear a rubber glove to touch them.

 

[dysonman1]

Russ is checking out the Hoover Dimension 1000. All original. I told him to put on rubber gloves first, but he wasn't afraid of touching it.

 

[dysonman1]

I'm sharing stories of vacuum cleaners past and present. My dragon t-shirt photographs well (ha ha).

 

[miskini]

I think

Your gathering is more my style. A free barbecue, you can't beat that. I got to get down there at see the museum. For the life of me, I can't understand why a collector would travel all the way to St. Louis, and not see the museum. Maybe you need to offer hazmat suits at the door.

Alphonse

 

[kirbyloverdan]

I completely agree

Alphonse this IS a convention I could and will attend next time I love kind real people .

Friends I know and of course the amazing Tom Gasko my great friend .

Can't wait to visit the Tacony factory and the only vacuum museum in the USA .

Great pictures Tom thanx for posting them .

Dan

 

[bnsd60m9200]

Alphonse

MANY of the VCCC memebers (and guests) stopped at tom's musueum on the way up or drove out before the conention began thursday evening . my friend sean and i showed up rather early and it was a treat to meet tom in person and the wonderful museum. im in process of getting ready to post photos of my adventure to the museum and the convention. i dont need to draw party lines. i enjoy anyone who collects vacuums and it was a treat to meet collectors from both groups.

 

[dysonman1]

Evan trying out the Electrolux Guardian Ultra upright, their 90th Anniversary Edition model.

 

[dysonman1]

Car loads of vacuum cleaners on their way to the Museum

 

[dysonman1]

Kirby Sentria II buckled into the front seat - while the family rides in back. Got to protect the most important things.

 

[dysonman1]

Robert and Chris try out Robert's new Kirbeast Avalir. It's a very nice machine, with the smoothest transmission of any G series I've ever seen.

 

[dysonman1]

The Kirby display at the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. Thanks to Frank Morgan for the flawless Diamond Edition and the Sentria. Thanks to Robert Clow for the Sentria II. Without you guys, the Kirby display would be 'missing' something. Thanks to David Watters for the gold plated G5. No rubber gloves needed to touch Kirbys.

 

[dysonman1]

A very good, very long time friend, Matt Casteel tries out the Kenmore "Sears Best" canister. Love the wood-grain top.

 

[dysonman1]

A portion of Evan Rogers' collection. The Hoover Conquest won a blue ribbon many years ago when we were both part of the VCCC.

 

[dysonman1]

Of course, our Kirby guru Rowe has to try out the Avalir as the pink Dyson Cyclon looks on in disbelief and with a sense of sadness (lol).

 

[dysonman1]

Adam Mercer just had to try out the new Electrolux 90th Anniversary Edition upright. Adam has the most awesome sense of humor.

 

[dysonman1]

Bob and Robert checking out the new Kirby Avalir shampoo system. After this photo was taken, they hooked up the Renovator and shampooed a portion of the Museum's rugs. They dried it with the Kirby blower, then vacuumed up the dried suds and dirt. The Renovator is easy to empty.

 

[dysonman1]

Checking out the Assembly Line at the Tacony Manufacturing facility.

 

[dysonman1]

Explaining the newest Injection Molding machine in the factory. This machine cost over 2 million dollars last year, and produces the bodies and handles for the upright on-board tool sweepers.

 

[dysonman1]

Bob explains the new Wonder Canister to an attentive boarder collie, Missy Mae.