Inman Farm Heritage Days coming Sept 19-21 

Inman Farm Heritage Days, which will host its 28^th annual show on Sept. 19-21 at Minter’s Farm in south Fayette County, is best known for its displays of antique farm tractors. But as regular visitors have come to know, the show is much more than the tractors, even though they remain popular with young and old alike.

 The volunteers who put on the show (IFHD is a 501c3 non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving an earlier, agrarian way of life) always try to add exhibits that tell a more complete story of our area’s history. 

 For 2025, Inman Farm Heritage Days will include a new syrup-making display (in addition to the one we’ve had for years) and this one is from the Sams family, long-time Fayette residents best known for their work in the medical profession.

 This project has been spearheaded by Dr. Jim Sams. He salvaged the copper cooking pan once used by his great-grandfather and namesake James Sams from a ramshackle farm shed. His brother-in-law Luke Nichol helped restore it to operating condition.

 The sorghum stalks that grew on the show site, will be squeezed into juice by a Golden’s Cane Mill and Fairbanks Morse engine that came from the late Dr. Helen Fletcher Sams’ family in Florida. Dr. Helen was Jim’s mother.

 Most would have considered the mill and engine beyond saving, but Jim was determined to see them in their former glory. The restoration project ended up involving dozens of volunteers, mostly from Fayette County, and countless hours of work. It’s been a labor of love for everyone involved.

Also new to the show this year is a pottery exhibit by Greenville, Ga.’s Allen Gee, who has ties to the old-time potters than once made utilitarian wares in the community once known as Aberdeen, which is now part of Peachtree City.

 The primary potters in Aberdeen – and also Shakerag – back in the day were the Gordys – father W.T.B. Gordy and his sons D.X. and W.J. 

 The Gordy’s eventually moved to the community of Primrose near Greenville, and after D.X. passed away the family sold the facility to Gee, who operates it to this day, often using the same tools the Gordy’s used a century ago.

 Other additions to the show this year include a plowing demonstration and an antique one-row corn picker at work. The original concession stand has been converted into a display of old household items, and there are several new vendors who will focus on items for kids. 

 As always admission to the show is free but visitors are encouraged to purchase a souvenir program for $5, which goes to support the show and offers readers an in-depth look at the exhibits and exhibitors they’ll see as they make their way across the show grounds.

 For more information check out Inman Farm Heritage Days on social media sites including Facebook and YouTube or visit Mintersfarm.com. The show is at Minter’s Farm, 283 Hill’s Bridge Road, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215 and is open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20 and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, September 21.