Return Return to the What's Old  page

The
Oliverettes

In 1959, the Oliver Corporation featured an unusual entertainment promotion at its month-long Oliver Tractor Fair. The Oliverettes, as they were known, consisted of ten women dressed in western-style costumes who drove tractors in synchronized fashion, to the delight of trade show attendees. The idea was the brainchild of George W. Bird, then-manager of the Charles City Oliver plant.

The "tractor square dance" evoked the spirit of the June Taylor Dancers at every step, turn, and gear-shift. Choreographed tractor operation was not easy, and the performers rehearsed extensively before each show.


At right: Oliverette costume on display at the Museum.
Gift of Bernadine Yeager.