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ATTACHMENT #v'15 Cane Creek Historical Association Summary statement of purpose: The Cane Creek Historical Association (hereafter referred to as "The Association') is being formed for the following purposes: 1. To preserve the rural agriculture skills of the early 20th century, focusing primarily on the use of horse - powered farming equipment and household appliances of the pre- electrification era. 2. Preserve horse -drawn equipment and household appliances of this era and the common skills necessary to use and maintain them. 3. Foster education and research in the rural culture and skills predominant in the early 20th century so as to maintain an inventory of local talent and familiarity with these crafts and skills. 4. Provide public exposure to the skills and culture of the pre- mechanized south 5. Promote the identification and preservation of historical structures in the Orange Grove / Cane Creek area. Detailed statement of purpose Preserve rural agricultural skills. The rapid urbanization and development of southern Orange County during the last 10 years has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of working farms in the area: More seriously, the reduction in farm families means fewer repositories for the priceless knowledge and experience with our history, a resource that is disappearing even more quickly than the agricultural -use land. Direct experience with pre - mechanized equipment is limited to the generation now in their 70's and 80's, and for much of our knowledge we have to develop second -hand sources. In 20 years, virtually no one will be able to say, "I remember plowing with a hillside plow. It is essential, therefore, to create "rural life museums" where this heritage can be assembled and preserved in actual practice before all links with this history have been lost. The Association has elected to focus on the period from 1900 -1930 as its primary concern for the following reasons: Many of the historical structures in the community still standing date from that period and could be preserved and restored if identified soon enough There are still people living with clear memories of the era who can serve as resources. The change from horse -drawn to powered agriculture marked a significant cultural and economic watershed in the south, making the period historically interesting and important. The farming and household appliances of the era are still available outside of museums and can be preserved and restored if action is taken quickly enough Preserve horse -drawn and rural farming equipment and household appliances. The early 20th m century was the zenith of horse -drawn agriculture. Just as the last half of the 19t' century witnessed the shift from manual to mechanized agriculture, the next 50 years saw the shift from horse -drawn to powered equipment. By the 1930's the tractor had replaced the draft horse and mule on the larger farms, and by 1950 there were virtually no draft animals in primary use. As a result, the mowers, hay rakes, planters, wagons, ploughs, cultivators, and spreaders from the horse -drawn era have either found their way to scrap piles or been quietly rusting in disintegrating barns — until recently. In the last 10 -15 years these old treasures have become collector's items and bought for their antique value. As a result, most have been removed from the practical I - inventory ; either having been priced out of reach of actual farming use, or turned into implements with decorative value only. It is therefore imperative that working versions of these implements