A windmill tail recently found its way to the museum. Ralph Guingrich discovered the windmill tail in the barn at his residence northeast of Portland on County Road 100 North. The tail dates back to the John and Susan Artman farm. The Artman’s owned the farm from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s. The property was later owned by Clyde Beeler. Ralph and Karen Guingrich are now the owners and residents of the farm.

At the top of the windmill, in almost illegible letters, is the Artman’s name. “Fort Wayne”, evidently the name of the manufacturer, is in large letters, and below it is “Portland, Indiana”.

Board members Rotch Shope and Randy Heston were assigned the task of mounting the tail high in the farm room. It is secured to the framework of an overhead door which was removed when the new museum addition was built. Thanks to the Ralph and Karen for donating the tail and to Rotch and Randy for hanging it.