Powerstation Museum celebrates Tamworth's City of Light history

On Tamworth’s 128^th anniversary as the City of Light, the Powerstation Museum paid tribute to those shining a light on the city’s electric history.

Local master craftsman, Ian Scott, was asked if he could repair a barometer from the 1922 power station. He not only repaired the instrument, he fully restored it without being asked, much to the delight and surprise of the museum’s volunteers.

In 1922, Tamworth’s power station moved from Peel St, where the museum is located, to Marius St – it was later decommissioned in 1972 and subsequently knocked down, with the barometer one of the very few artefacts saved.

Mr Scott, who refused to accept any payment for his months of painstaking work, was presented with a special certificate of appreciation and a lifetime pass to the museum. No official photos of the 1922 station were taken before it was knocked down, but one volunteer, Ian Hobbs, sifted through hundreds of personal photos to put together a collection dedicated to the station.

“Without our volunteers, this place wouldn’t be open,” Ms Guthrie said.

“They are passionate, but they’re not getting any younger, so today we’ve launched a book about the history of the museum, so all their wonderful knowledge will never be lost.”