Collector with1500+ washers Member?

[mattl]

From CBS News

 

<blockquote>
In the shadow of the Colorado Rockies lives a man with a mountainous dilemma. For years, Lee Maxwell has been collecting antique washing machines, but he's running out of places to put them.

When Maxwell was first interviewed by CBS News in 2018, he had built a warehouse to hold all the objects of his obsession. Now, there's yet another warehouse behind that one, once again filled with nothing but hundreds of washing machines.

"I do have a problem," Maxwell, 92, admitted. He also has a Guinness World Record: In August 2019, he was awarded the honor for having the largest collection of washing machines in the United States. At the time, he had 1,350 devices.

His collection has soared to over 1,500 unique machines.

</blockquote>

Unusual appliance collector searches for museum benefactor

Lee Maxwell has been honored by the Guinness Book of World Records for his collection.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[launderess]

Not a member per se but members of AW know Mr. Maxwell and he knows AW.

Some members have been out to his museum, others have arranged to purchase items from the collection.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?15335

Google Search

 

[launderess]

Mr. Maxwell is getting on, seem to recall sometime back he was seeking a museum or something to take his collection (intact hopefully). Something must be done with that wonderful man's life's work.

 

[qsd-dan]

Laugh all you want but his collection is probably the reason he's still alive and in great mental/physical shape for his age.

 

Sitting around doing nothing is a good way to perish quickly.

 

[repairguy]

I have the same problem he does.

 

[appnut]

But Melvin, you are young.

 

[DADoES]

 
Melvin, your count has reached 1,500?  ;-)

 

[combo52]

Lee Maxwells collection

I truly hope somebody comes along with $1 million or so to preserve his collection and keep it intact, it also could all be moved somewhere else but it’s certainly the largest collection in North America. If not the world of early washing machines etc

When people ask me if we collect wooden wringer washers, etc. I’ve always pointed to Lee Maxwell’s collection as a reason why I don’t collect anything generally before World War II.

I certainly agree with Lee’s philosophy. I don’t intend to sit around and do nothing as I age, one reason why I still work and enjoy it so much.

John.

 

[launderess]

Seem to recall one or maybe a few instances where member's collections were dispersed via auction and it was quite a lot.

Cannot recall if member(s) in question simply quit collecting or perhaps went to the other place, but regardless it was a large undertaking to move what amounted to about a warehouse or larger of appliances.

Made a thread several weeks ago now querying if others had made final arrangements for their collections. Perhaps trolling though all those estate auction listings of late and or recalling past members had one in mind much of what we all have will likely outlive us all.

Mr. Maxwell's collection truly represents a pretty concise history of laundry USA laundry appliances from early days on. It really should be saved in large part if only for posterity purposes. That and of course it is truly educational and just how much invention and perfection of washing machines (and other laundry appliances) truly did "save women's lives".

 

[bradfordwhite]

It might be worth it to film or take pictures of each unit. A lot more people would see the pics/vids than would ever travel to some museum for these. It would take weeks to film/vid. each of these properly. But believe me it's better than having to handle each of these.

It really is amazing how much "stuff" we people make daily, weekly, yearly. Just incredible.
If his museum is a snippet of production on a year by year basis over the last century or so of just the washing machine.... incredible.

Makes one wonder if there are collectors for all the other appliances in our lives.

Computers yes, typewriters yes, automobile def. a Yes.

What about dryers, stoves, central AC units, water heater, furnaces, toilets, bathtubs, microwaves, light fixtures, furniture, kitchen cabinets....?

 

[repairguy]

Well I haven’t hit 1500… yet. Lol

 

[bradfordwhite]

"… yet."
No but every other week you acquire yet another beautiful prize. I don't know where you find them like the recent avocado pair. And I remember a couple years back you were talking about how you were running out of space and so I assume that the most recent will be the last. ... but they just keep making their way to you. lol

 

[repairguy]

They were posted in shoppers square. They are stored in a bedroom now.

 

[launderess]

Pictures and videos are all very well, but there is a place for seeing things up close. That is why museums of all sorts exist.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...ectric_Appliance_Museum-Diamond_Missouri.html

https://www.musee-ustensiles-cuisine-anciens.fr/accueil_ang.php

https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog...families-learn-to-launder-the-hard-way-1.html

Lee Maxwell is still bringing them in...

Join me for this event!

Check out the event details here.

events.aarp.org

 

[wayupnorth]

CBS featured him last night on an evening news segment.

 

[qsd-dan]

One of his longer clips.

 

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Wasn’t there a picture of an Applianceville or Applianceland somewhere in our forum?

I thought it looked something like this:

— Dave

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Honestly that’s kind of how I expect it to actually look

An ocean of laundry machines from all shapes and sizes in countries