The 2026 edition of Gathering of the Green returns to Davenport, Iowa, from March 18 through 21 at the RiverCenter, reaffirming its reputation as one of the most technically rich heritage events dedicated to classic agricultural machinery. Held every two years, the conference attracts restorers, collectors, mechanics, historians, and equipment engineers interested in the evolution of John Deere engineering.
The 2026 theme, An American Original, aligns with the United States Semiquincentennial celebration and highlights the role Deere machines played in shaping modern mechanized agriculture. Exhibits will feature tractors and implements displayed in authentic working condition rather than cosmetic restorations, allowing visitors to study original castings, driveline layouts, carburetion systems, hydraulic routing, and early hitch architectures.
Attendees can expect to see historically significant equipment such as:
- Early two cylinder row crop tractors with exposed flywheel systems.
- Square and round balers from mid century production lines.
- Mechanical cultivators and pull type implements from pre hydraulic eras.
- Prototype or rare configuration machines preserved by private collectors.
Technical workshops will cover restoration metallurgy, carburetor calibration, magneto ignition timing, parts sourcing strategies, and factory specification decoding. Vendor booths will offer discontinued components, original manuals, and reproduction hardware for accurate rebuild projects.
Guided tours to regional manufacturing and historic agricultural sites are also planned, providing context on how Deere’s engineering philosophy evolved from steel plows to fully integrated mechanized systems.
IH Collectors Winter Convention 2026 focuses on International Harvester legacy engineering
Running the same March 19 through 21 weekend in Clemmons, North Carolina, the IH Collectors Winter Convention offers a parallel deep dive into International Harvester’s mechanical heritage. Hosted by the North Carolina Chapter 42 of the National International Harvester Collectors Club, the event takes place at the Village Inn Hotel and Event Center.
The three day program blends technical sessions with hands on demonstrations and equipment displays. The schedule includes trade exhibitions, restoration workshops, parts evaluations, and a live auction where rare IH components and memorabilia frequently surface.
Highlights of the technical program include:
- Carburetor cleaning demonstrations with legacy fuel systems.
- Mechanical case studies on military surplus M1 Garand maintenance.
- Parts identification sessions led by experienced restorers.
- Equipment tours to regional agricultural facilities.
Historical displays may feature machines similar to those shown at past conventions, including LP powered IH 404 tractors, graders, maintainers, and industrial derivatives. These exhibits are especially valuable for engineers and restorers interested in understanding drivetrain durability, casting design, and the transition from mechanical to hydraulic control systems.
A banquet presentation by veteran farm broadcaster Max Armstrong will close the convention, providing historical perspective on agricultural machinery innovation and industry culture.
Why these two events matter for machinery professionals and restorers
Although both conventions cater to collectors, they also serve as informal technical summits. Engineers, parts specialists, and precision agriculture professionals often attend to study mechanical design principles that still influence modern equipment architecture.
Vintage machines reveal:
- Simplified mechanical solutions that improved field serviceability.
- Material durability strategies prior to modern alloys.
- Early automation attempts using purely mechanical logic.
- Design tradeoffs between reliability and manufacturing cost.
For specialists working with current precision farming systems, understanding legacy equipment helps explain why certain chassis geometries, PTO standards, and hydraulic interfaces persist today.
About Gathering of the Green
The Gathering of the Green is a biennial national conference dedicated to antique John Deere tractor collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts. It is organized by a board and planning committee independent of Deere & Company, though the event welcomes all fans and preserves John Deere heritage.
The nonprofit gathering focuses on preserving and sharing the history of green and yellow equipment in original working condition. Activities include technical workshops, historical seminars, vendor exhibits with rare parts and manuals, social events, and displays of tractors and implements covering most eras of John Deere production.
Unlike corporate John Deere events, the Gathering of the Green is driven by a community of hobbyists, restorers, and historians committed to education and hands-on mechanical heritage preservation.
About International Harvester Collectors of North Carolina Inc. Chapter 42
The International Harvester Collectors of North Carolina Chapter 42 — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting the history of International Harvester products within North Carolina. Membership is open to anyone interested in IH machinery, heritage, and memorabilia.
Chapter 42 supports agricultural education, youth organizations like FFA and 4-H, and charitable efforts including scholarships. Members participate in quarterly meetings, special events, charity auctions, historical displays, and annual shows. The chapter works alongside additional regional IH collector chapters to expand awareness and community involvement.
The Chapter also participates in national International Harvester Collectors Club activities, such as the Red Power Round Up, which features more than 1,200 IH machines from across the country.
Event logistics quick reference
Gathering of the Green 2026
- Location: RiverCenter, Davenport, Iowa.
- Dates: March 18 to 21, 2026.
- Focus: John Deere heritage equipment, workshops, tours, vendors.
IH Collectors Winter Convention 2026
- Location: Village Inn Hotel and Event Center, Clemmons, North Carolina.
- Dates: March 19 to 21, 2026.
- Focus: International Harvester machinery, trade show, auction, technical sessions.
Distance between venues: roughly 800 miles, making dual attendance impractical for most visitors.
