The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology is the perfect place for kids (and adults) that are interested in machines and how things work. The momstown Hamilton preschoolers went on a field trip to check it out.
The Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology is the perfect place for kids (and adults) that are interested in machines and how things work. The momstown Hamilton preschoolers went on a field trip to check it out.
In the Woodshed we looked at a model of the steam engine and Gore Park, Hamilton, as it was in the late 19th Century.
The fountain in Gore Park was built to celebrate the availability of clean, fresh water.
In the Boiler house, our guide showed us what coal looked like. The kids passed around a lump of coal to get a close look. Then she took a very small piece and burned it a bit. The kids had a chance to smell what it was like. It was very "stinky", can you imagine a whole building smelling like that?
We also looked at some toy engines to help us understand how steam makes the engines move. The kids really liked watching the little motors move.
This is a model of a workshop with miniature tools powered by steam
Next, we went up to the Engine Deck. Here the kids got to see a real steam engine in action! They got very excited seeing the big wheel go around and around. Up above our heads the two huge walking beams are visible rocking back and forth like a see-saw.
Sometimes the wheel needs a little help to get going. A large pry bar is used to start the wheel moving. It is amazing how the use of a lever allows a little bit of muscle to move a huge, heavy wheel!
Throughout the tour our guide told us about the various jobs necessary to keep the engines working smoothly. For example, the Oiler was responsible for lubricating the 105 points on the engine while it was still moving. Some of these spots required oil once an hour.
This paper hat was the Oilers only safety equipment. It would protect his head from hot dripping oil and if he heard a crinkling sound he knew that he was too close to the hot pipes and had a second before he got burnt.
Back at the Boiler house, in the Gallery, we checked out The Combine Project. These sculptures are made of parts from a combine harvester. Each one is made to produce various sounds when played.
Thanks again to Julia for the amazing tour and wealth of information. My kids can't wait to come back again!
