Fundraising Campaign Launched to Save Historic Kew Engine House and Cornish-Built Steam Pumping Engines

Photo Credit: London Museum of Water & Steam

The London Museum of Water & Steam has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to raise £50,000 by 15th August.

The funds are needed to save the museum’s Great Engine House at Kew, along with two historic steam pumping engines that were built in Hayle, Cornwall in the 1850s and are stored within the building. The success of this campaign is crucial, as it will unlock significant grant funding to enable the full restoration of these important pieces of industrial heritage.

Photo: 90 inch engine driving position – Credit: London Museum of Water & Steam

The Great Engine House at Risk

The Great Engine House at Kew is a significant part of the London Museum of Water & Steam, housing some of the oldest and most historically important steam pumping engines in the world. However, the building and its contents are under threat without urgent restoration and preservation work. The museum has identified a pressing need to raise £50,000 by mid-August to begin this crucial work.

Cornish Engineering Heritage in Peril

The two steam pumping engines that are stored in the Great Engine House hold particular significance for Cornish history. These engines were built in the 1850s in Hayle, a town with a rich industrial heritage known for its engineering prowess during the 19th century. Preserving these engines is not just about saving physical artefacts; it’s about maintaining a link to Cornwall’s important industrial past.

Photo: 90 inch levers – Credit: London Museum of Water & Steam

Unlocking Future Funding

If the fundraising campaign reaches its £50,000 target, it will unlock additional grant funding that is necessary for the full restoration of both the Great Engine House and the two steam pumping engines. This potential funding could ensure that these historical pieces remain preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy.

How to Support

The London Museum of Water & Steam is appealing to the public to help them reach their goal by the 15th of August. Donations can be made through their crowdfunding page, where more details about the project are available.

This is a vital opportunity to protect a piece of both London’s and Cornwall’s industrial heritage, ensuring that the stories of the Great Engine House and its Cornish-built engines are not lost to history.

Photo: 100 inch – Credit: London Museum of Water & Steam