IAPA was founded in early 1980s and many members grow up learning their craft and interests in farming.  Many members have learned about various ways of life and have an interest in maintaining history.

IAPA’s mission is to preserve our early rural ways of life and the mechanical marvels that changed farming. IAPA has been dedicated to the exhibition and education of historical steam and internal combustion engines, antique machinery, and early American trades used in everyday life.

In addition to farming machinery activities like thrashing, plowing, and planting, the IAPA have members that demonstrate and display crafts like blacksmithing, quilting and sewing, and saw milling.  IAPA also has a scale railroad with steam locomotives.