The K&O Steam & Gas Engine Association preserves, restores, and operates historic steam and internal-combustion engines — honoring the machinery that built the heartland.
Founded by a small circle of engine enthusiasts in Winfield, Kansas, the K&O Steam & Gas Engine Association began as a weekend gathering — swapping stories over idle engines and shared curiosity about the machines that powered an era.
Today, we are a registered nonprofit dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and public demonstration of steam engines, gas engines, and the industrial equipment they drove. Our collection spans stationary engines, traction engines, portable engines, and the agricultural machinery they powered.
"We don't just display engines — we bring them back to life, letting visitors hear the rhythm of a properly tuned single-cylinder gas engine for the first time."
Our work extends beyond storage and display. We actively restore, operate, and educate — keeping the mechanical legacy of the American heartland alive and audible.
From rusted relics to running condition — our volunteers carefully restore steam and gas engines, documenting every step and preserving original character.
Our Winfield museum houses over a hundred engines spanning the late 1800s through the mid-20th century, including rare stationary and traction models.
We regularly fire up engines at local events and open houses, letting the public experience the sound, steam, and power of working vintage machinery.
School groups, history clubs, and curious visitors of all ages are welcome. We offer guided tours and hands-on learning about mechanical history.
Our yearly engine meet draws collectors and operators from across the region — a celebration of restored machines, shared knowledge, and community.
Open to anyone with an interest in engines and mechanical history. Members receive invitations to events, newsletters, and access to our library and workshops.
Our museum collection represents the backbone of American industry and agriculture — stationary engines that powered sawmills and grain elevators, portable engines that drove threshing crews across the prairie, and the gas engines that bridged the transition from steam to internal combustion.
Each engine in our care has a provenance, a story of where it worked, who operated it, and how it survived. We treat every restoration as an act of historical preservation, not merely mechanical repair.
Whether you're a seasoned engine restorer or simply fascinated by the machines that shaped rural America, there's a place for you at K&O. Membership supports our preservation work and connects you with a community that shares your passion.
