From the very beginning ...
A brief history of the Museum from the begining of an idea to the present day
1974
Waterworks Museum established as a charitable trust
1984
Restructured as a company limited by guarantee and registered charity
1992
Tangye House opened (the former Leominster water pumping station)
1999
Museum starts to open every Tuesday (with weekly gathering of Volunteers)
1999
Museum celebrates silver anniversary
2000
English Heritage put main building on register of ‘listed buildings at risk’, which required a major work on the roof and chimneystack
2001
Trustees announce plans to refurbish the listed building and build a new Visitor Centre, new engine exhibition space and an engineers’ workshop
2002
Go ahead for new build project confirmed
2003
Museum closed for two years for Listed Building refurbishment (2003-2005)
2004
Funding for new build project and Rotherwas Building project confirmed
2005
Offered the Blackstone engine and relics from Rotherwas Munitions Factory
2006
Leased additional land for Rotherwas Building
2006
Visitor Centre (Easthall), Southall Engine Gallery and Engineers Workshop formally opened
2007
Rotherwas Building opened + Hereford’s only permanent exhibition to WWII
2007
Accredited Museum status attained
2010
Water on Tap exhibition opened
2010
Concept for a Heritage Water Park announced + additional land leased
2011
Planning permission confirmed for Heritage Water Park
2011
Museum starts is programme of children’s events in the school holidays
2012
Funding confirmed for Heritage Water Park
2014
Museum celebrates 40th anniversary
2015
Heritage Water Park opened
2016
Waterworks Museum launched Stirling Engine bicentenary with a new display
2017
Massington Lineshaft Display opened (phase 2 opened in 2018)
2018
Opening of The Old Workshop
2018
Museum’s Triple Expansion Steam Engine receives Engineering Heritage Award
2019
Royal Visit by HRH The Duke of Gloucester
2020
Museum closed for the first time since the rebuild project in 2002-2005 (Coronavirus)
2021
Work continues during Lockdown
2021
Museum repoens to the public after coronavirus
2022
Entry for QVAS award
2024
We are already planning for the 50th anniversary of the Waterworks Museum