Dick Herm Steam Show

The Dick Herm Steam Show was a steam and gas engine show that was held from 1969-1985 in the far southwest corner of Washington Township on Herm's Farmdale Road property.

In Herm's own words: "Young people today need to have a sense of the heritage of American agriculture.  The purpose of the steam show is to preserve this heritage."

The shows featured a plethora of antiquities—vintage steam tractors, antique cars, activities for the kids, including a miniature train ride, and practices from the past, such as woodcarving, sheep-shearing, and weaving. Thousands would attend each year over a summer weekend.

Herm himself was an old-time farm expert.  Graduating from the University of Illinois with an agriculture degree, he spent 40 years giving daily farm and livestock market reports on Peoria radio.  Herm's expertise set a standard for Washington's agricultural community.