CANDICE BRADFIELD
UNLIKE other museums, the Bathurst Agricultural Museum gives visitors the chance to "touch history” rather than hiding everything behind ropes or in display cases.
| POWERED UP: Herman Paul demonstrates how he has restored this generator from 1942, which is currently on display at the Bathurst Agricultural Museum, to full working order. During World War 2 these generators were used to power radios and provide lightning. This one Paul found in Northern Transvaal before he brought it back to life Picture: CANDICE BRADFIELD |
Walking among the exhibits, you will come across old fashioned scales, an egg incubator, butter churners, a milk delivery cart, vet equipment and old sewing machines as well as other inventions used to make life easier in simpler times.
The engines and tractors are lovingly maintained by trustees and friends of the museum and many are still in working condition.
Chairman of the Bathurst Agricultural Museum Trust, Alan Pike, has been driving two of the old tractors down to The Pig and Whistle to attract people to the museum and show them the hands-on displays.
They recently received a W9 which was donated by Gerrit Vermaak from Kleinpoort in the Eastern Cape. Pike said members of the public are welcome to drive an old tractor themselves.
Those interested in restoring some of their museum pieces can use the workshop and tools on site. Pike also welcomes suggestions on fundraising and other ways to create a living museum. He hopes to hold workshops where people can make their own soap, butter and bread using traditional farming methods. They also intend to build a working blacksmith shop where people can bring their tools to be sharpened.
The aim of the museum is to have as many functional aspects as possible to create a living museum. Pike hopes this will prevent old skills from dying out.
For any information call curator Allan Town on 079-987-9507.