December 29, 2023 The Cloud Museum

We had heard about the Cloud Museum many times and it was on our list to visit – so today was the day!

“Located on Highway S24 in Bard, California, the Cloud Museum, situated on over 2 acres, affords visitors a unique opportunity to turn back the clock and view real Americana that includes over 120 Model T’s and Model A’a, antique farm equipment, motors, small appliances and other collectibles too numerous and extensive to mention.

No less interesting is Johnny Cloud, the museum’s owner, who has patiently restored anything with a motor to its working condition.  Always ready to spin a yarn or two, Johnny leads his visitors through the early years of America’s automotive and farming history.”

Website: https://www.cloudmuseum.dynamitedave.com/

We pulled up to the gate and did not know what to expect. Hey! It’s an adventure.

The outside:

 

We walked inside and met Johnny Cloud – what an interesting fellow.  He explained how the outside was laid out and told us to be sure we saw the inside of the buildings.

We were amazed on not only what we saw but how the collections were arranged – it was not just chaos!

Gas pumps:

Model T’s – there were many:

Old carriage and even an RV:

More Model T’s:

Tractors:

Even an old tanker:

Model A’s:

And a firetruck!:

 

 

Andy with Johnny Cloud:

He drove around on his golf cart and stopped to talk with everyone as well as answer any questions.  At this point, Andy said”It looks like you have parts to make a running vehicle”.  Johnny asked “Were you in the buildings yet?”.  We said no and he said check them out first.

In the first building was a collection of washers:

Heaters:

And a Heat-Trola!  My grandmother had one of these:

Walking into the second building, our jaws just dropped.  Andy with the latest purchase – a Studebaker:

This building held many of the cars that Johnny put together, purchased from estates, or were donated.  So many were in pristine condition. (As you are looking at the cars, notice the backgrounds.  He used every inch of space for the different collections.)

Notice the children’s toys hanging from the ceiling:

Carriages too:

Bicycles even:

Johnny came by when we came out of that building and Andy spent some time talking with him about cars.  (Yes, the restored ones run and are in parades around the area.)

The Mercantile:

That contained pots and grinders of all sizes and anything a mercantile should have carried in the day:

Including old phones!:

The Post Office:

With mail slots:

And even a safe:

Oh my!  The next building:

 

 

With bicycles:

And tools and parts:

If you haven’t, go back and check out the background on those pictures for his other collections.

The household collection with stoves, pianos, tables, furniture, etc.:

Check the batteries and one of Johnny’s dogs:

He had three dogs and they followed him around – they were very friendly.

Another building with more items:

A spinning wheel:

Old typewriters:

Lots of kitchen tools:

Dental and Doctor tools and equipment:

After we went thru all the buildings, we went to the other side of the yard that had many motors, more farm equipment and a cement mixer…

 

Check out the bells:

I have to say that we were pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed looking around and talking with Johnny.  He does have the stories.

We asked him how this all came about.  He and his family own quite a bit of land here.  They decided to lease the fields to other farms but these two acres held all the equipment that his family used over the years.  Since they did not need it, he started the museum of farm equipment.  As word got out, more and more folks just donated. 

He loves just meeting people and telling the stories of some of the items. What a great guy and so excited about his museum.  Another recommendation – YES!  Especially if you like antiques and old items.  (If you do not, then…)

What a cool place!

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From there we did a few errands and came back.  Larry and Peg stopped by for a nice visit and we planned our NYE celebration.

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Enjoy today!