stbabs, former VP of Engineering at Continental (Prattville, AL) here. Worked Continental, Continental Eagle from '81 to '95. Also still in contact with friends at Lummus Not sure I can add much to what you are doing but available for contact.
Mr.Tommy Brown (former Continental advertising) in Prattville has contact with all the historical information you could ever want on Continental. Continental was formed in 1900 by the combining of five (if memory serves) existing mfrs.: Pratt (formed in 1832 in AL), Eagle (Mass), Munger (TX/LA) and two more that names escape me. Tommy has worked with the AL. Archives Dept. where much of the documentation on the company resides as well as with the Smithsonian. Continental, most recently was known as Continental Eagle Corp, was sold to an Indian gin manufacturer, Bajaj Steel, but Pratt factory site is now owned by the Prattville Historical Society with some of the buildings dating to the 1870s.
I am forwarding the link to this thread to Tommy for his reference.
Interesting project. There are a number of similar projects that have been undertaken over the years, such as the Burton Gin. Most in the Mid-south and Southeast not unlike what you are undertaking.
Best of luck.
Bill Norman, D. Engr. '77
Vice president, Technical Services
National Cotton Council
Cordova, TN
"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up."
- Winston Churchill, 1941
"Eating is dangerous. Not eating is deadly." - Someone wittier than me, 2012