A huge collection of toy tractors is tucked away in a museum behind Kelly Hundley’s home near Crowley, Louisiana. And when you drive by, it’s easy to tell that farming is a way of life here.
a big collection on the farm
The antique tractor and hand-me-down farm gear decorating the front lawn hint at Hundley’s deep connection to the land. But inside Kelly’s Landing, beyond the rice, soybeans, and crawfish operations, something else sets this place apart: a remarkable collection of toy tractors.
an obsession with toy tractors
Hundley says his obsession with toy tractors started in 1989 when he and his brothers took a road trip to northern Arkansas in search of used farm equipment. Instead, they came back with toys. “We bought toys, we bought toys, and we bought toys until it was no more good,” Hundley says with a smile, reflecting on the journey that sparked his collection.
Today, his collection is dominated by John Deere models, anything featuring the brand’s iconic green and yellow design. But the collection extends far beyond just tractors. Outside, two large vehicles—a motorhome and a Cadillac limousine—draw attention. Both are painted in John Deere green and yellow and sport the company logo. “They’ll look at it and then they’ll say, ‘Man, I didn’t know John Deere made motorhomes,’” Hundley says, laughing. “I tell them only for one year. And I leave them like that.”
growing museum of toy tractors
Hundley’s collection has grown so large that he had to build a 50-by-30-foot building just to house the toys. The building, which has been expanded a couple of times, contains not just John Deere toys but other brands of farm equipment as well. Hundley estimates that there are at least a couple of thousand toys on display. But when asked, he always says, “I tell them 1837. And that number is when John Deere invented the plow.”
Though he admits his collecting has slowed down, Hundley still finds it hard to resist when he sees something new in a John Deere store. And that means his museum, which he loves to share, keeps growing. Visitors and tour buses are welcome by appointment, and Hundley is known to offer a warm welcome. “We enjoy having them over,” he says. “We have a little chicken sausage gumbo for them. I give them my talk about rice, crawfish, and the toy collection.”
kelly’s toy tractors featured on tv
visiting kelly’s landing
Kelly’s Landing museum is located at 1109 Roberts Cove Road, Crowley, Louisiana. Call ahead to make an appointment to tour this one-of-a-kind Louisiana museum: (337) 788-0546.
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