Simplot To Display Antique Farm Tools

Billionaire J.R. Simplot has gathered a multimillion-dollar collection of the stuff he calls both old junk and gorgeous - antique tractors and farm equipment.

The agriculture and computer chip magnate plans to display them in southwestern Idaho to teach children about the state’s economic roots.

“I just want a good museum to show the young people just exactly how we got where we’re at today,” he said.

Simplot built his financial empire in the 1920s by profiting off the purchase and sale of 700 hogs.

He bought a good portion of the future museum’s machinery at a sale in Billings, Mont. Simplot said he bought “a couple, $3 million worth of stuff,” including 100 old steam engines, tractors and the like.

Simplot, who is 89 and in good health, has no definite timetable for the museum.

“I’m going to get around to it one of these days,” he said.

“It would really be a very big plus to the community and to the state,” said Ken Swanson, Idaho Historical Museum administrator. “With his resources, it could be quite spectacular.”