If you are looking for something to do with the kids that doesn't cost a fortune, located on Woodward and just a stone throw from the Beach Strip is Hamilton's first waterworks, now called Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology.
This mid-Victorian facility, completed in 1859, used steam power to pump all the city's water until 1910 and served as a backup until 1938, you may recall the 150-feet-high chimney being restored a few years back. There are two sections: the Boiler-house, now the entrance gift shop-rotating exhibit space, and the Pumphouse, it was my first visit to the Museum even though it is located right in our backyard. As you can see by the attached pictures, the machinery is kept absolutely spotless(great job by the staff) and it doesn't pump lake water anymore, but just for show the whole pump process from beginning to end can be exhibited by starting up a small three horse power engine which moves all the rods, pistons, beams and linkages by turning a huge flywheel.
The site is the only mid-19th century waterworks surviving intact in North America and is open year round.
This mid-Victorian facility, completed in 1859, used steam power to pump all the city's water until 1910 and served as a backup until 1938, you may recall the 150-feet-high chimney being restored a few years back. There are two sections: the Boiler-house, now the entrance gift shop-rotating exhibit space, and the Pumphouse, it was my first visit to the Museum even though it is located right in our backyard. As you can see by the attached pictures, the machinery is kept absolutely spotless(great job by the staff) and it doesn't pump lake water anymore, but just for show the whole pump process from beginning to end can be exhibited by starting up a small three horse power engine which moves all the rods, pistons, beams and linkages by turning a huge flywheel.
The site is the only mid-19th century waterworks surviving intact in North America and is open year round.
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