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One Man's Passion - Chapter 3 - Hans Hoffmann: Collector

Credits:
Graphic by Jennifer Chernecki

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In 1974, as he was approaching retirement age, Hans began his hobby of collecting and restoring stationary gasoline engines. By 1979, the year he retired, Hans had thirteen engines restored and had participated in his first engine show after Tom Hobbis of the Antique Farm Machinery Association asked him to participate in a display. In the years that followed his collection grew to more than 60 engines and he would participate in shows around the community and around the province. In particular, his home town engine shows on Pitt Meadows Day, when wood was sawed, and Canada Day, when grain was ground, are remembered fondly by long time residents of Pitt Meadows and area. Many more engines were restored for friends and remain in their collections.

Among the engines are some standouts including a Manitoba, 1907c., and a Fairbanks Morse, 1920c. A favorite among Museum staff is one of the four Maytag washing machine motors. All of the engines were restored using the shop equipment acquired for the Hoffmann business from as early as 1936. Since Mr. Hoffmann passed away the engines have been maintained in a static display available for public viewing. A small core of volunteers turns their fly wheels and keeps them dusted against a day when a new group of engine enthusiasts can bring them back to life.

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Hans Hoffmann with one of his restored engines in front of the Hoffmann and Son shop.
Circa 1991
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photograph by Simone Ponne
Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News Newspaper

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A portion of Hans' engine collection in the Hoffmann and Son shop site.
2011
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Pitt Meadows Museum and Archives

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Hans with his Manitoba engine.
Circa 1990
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photograph taken by Simone Ponne
Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News newspaper

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H1999.0001.0029 Manitoba engine.
Circa 1907
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
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Maytag engine.
Circa June/July 1940
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
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Credits:
Photograph taken by Sandra Borger

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Coquitlam Resevoir Engine.
Circa 1914c
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
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Delco engine.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
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Iron Horse, Model X420 engine.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada

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Hans Hoffmann's other Stirling engine.
Circa 1990
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Photograph taken by Sandra Borger

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Engines on exhibit at a show at Harris Road Park in Pitt Meadows.
Circa 1980
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Photograph by Doug McDermott

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Hans Hoffmann with his engines at the Pitt Meadows Day celebrations.
Circa 1997
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Photograph by Leslie Norman

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Hans and friends moving their engines at an engine show at Harris Road Park.
Circa 1980
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada

Credits:
Photograph by Doug McDermott