Dunedin Gasworks Museum facts for kids
The Dunedin Gasworks Museum is a special place in South Dunedin, New Zealand. It's one of the few museums in the world that shows how gasworks used to operate. This museum helps us understand how gas was made and used in homes and factories long ago.
Contents
Exploring the Gasworks Museum
The main part of the museum is inside the old engine house of the Dunedin Gasworks. This gasworks made gas from 1863 until 1987. Other buildings you can explore include the boiler room, the chimney, and the workshops where things were fixed.
What's Inside?
The museum has a unique collection of five large steam engines. Some of these engines can still work! You can also see many old gas appliances that people used in their homes and businesses. The museum is not just for visiting; it also hosts fun events like music shows and gatherings for people who love steampunk.
A Look Back at History
The Dunedin Gasworks was very important because it was the first gasworks in New Zealand. It was also the last one to stop making gas. In the 1970s, when it was busiest, it provided gas to over 18,000 homes and businesses in the city.
Saving a Piece of the Past
Many of the old buildings at the gasworks were taken down in the 1980s. But some of the beautiful Edwardian-style buildings were saved! A group led by Elizabeth Hinds worked hard to protect them. Now, several of these buildings are listed as important historic places by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
When the Museum Opened
The idea to turn the remaining gasworks into a museum started in the late 1980s. Work to fix up the buildings began in 1989. The museum officially opened its doors on February 3, 2001. Important people like George Emerson and Sir Neil Cossons were there for the opening ceremony.
Chimney Repairs
In April 2025, the museum had to close for a short time. Cracks were found in the historic gasworks chimney. These cracks likely happened because of a strong earthquake that shook the area in March 2025. In May 2025, work began to carefully take down the top part of the chimney so it could be repaired.
External links
- Museum website
- NZMuseums website Dunedin Gasworks Museum page
