A VICTORIAN pumping station will open its doors to the public over the bank holiday weekend.
After almost 100 years supplying Sunderland’s drinking water, Ryhope Pumping Station closed in 1967, although its beam engines were kept in working order.
Now the Grade II-listed building is home to Ryhope Engines Museum which has recently been improved with a £27,000 grant from Northumbria Water.
Alongside beam engines, the museum is home to a blacksmith’s forge, a waterwheel and numerous steam engines and pumps.
People who are unable to climb stairs also benefit from a new IT network that opens up access to collections on upper floors of the engine house, using technology including personal tablets and smart phones.
The museum will be open between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, is free to enter and visitors of all ages can learn about the history of the station and get hands-on with the engines and exhibits.
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