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Chapter 3: Persevere
Expanding the Homestead, 1948
The final construction phase of the homestead began in 1948. It consisted of a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and an additional bathroom, providing more room for the growing family.
William G. "Grove" Barnard III with Tufty, c. 1948
Grove trained Tufty, a sparrow discovered during the construction of the homestead, and the bird became a beloved family pet.
Barnard Family Portrait, 1952
Ruth and Bill Barnard with their six children.
Papa and Mary Barnard outside their trailer home, 1963
Papa and Mary Barnard featured in Trailer Topics Magazine August, 1963.
The First Infomercial, 1949
In 1949, Bill Barnard convinced his father to air a first-of-its-kind, half-hour infomercial on Cleveland's WEWS, the first television station in Ohio. Following its success, they worked with Cinecraft Productions to create recordings for distribution throughout the US.
Miles McKearney of Foster & Davis Advertising Agency, Ray Culley of Cinecraft Productions, Bill Barnard, and Papa Barnard, 1949.
Royal Quail Cuckoo Clock
A hand-carved cuckoo clock sourced from the Black Forest in Germany.
Summers Selling
Once the school year ended, the Barnard family traveled across the country in a "stake truck" to demonstrate the Vitamix at shows and fairs.
Flurry (Mix'n Machine), 1986
Developed by Frank and John Barnard, this was the first commercial machine designed and manufactured by Vitamix.