A huge collection in need of good home

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Bill Judson looks at part of his enormous collection of antique tools housed on his property in the Farmington area. Judson says he's ready to either sell the collection or let a museum acquire it.CRAIG SANDERS/The Record

By Michael Fitzgerald

March 14, 2014 12:00 AM

Out in the country, on the farms and ranches, the old tools of the early 20th century, and even the 1800s, clutter the cobwebby corners of sheds and barns.

Especially one redwood building standing outside Farmington. There, Bill Judson houses his personal museum of obsolete, what-the-heck-is-this-thing tools.

"It's the stuff that people have never seen," says Judson, 81. They have no idea. People say 'What is that?' 'What's it for?' "

It's for posterity, if Judson has his way. Now that he's up in years, Judson is looking for someone to buy his collection. Or a museum to acquire it.

"I don't know what to do with it," Judson confesses. "My kids say they're going to bring a big Dumpster and load it up."

Judson invited me to visit. His five-acre spread encompasses several dwellings, a bamboo grove, a couple metal sheds.

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A huge collection in need of good home