Local History and Community Organisation
The Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum is a registered charity focusing on local transport and industry and is centred around a Grade II listed Victorian pumping station known as the 'Pumphouse'. The museum opened in 1997 when a group of local enthusiasts came together to restore the Grade II listed Marshall engines and form the Friends of the Pumphouse. However, the idea of operating a museum on the site was mooted as early as the 1970s shortly after the engines went out of service. The site was historically known as Low Hall Farm and an ancient manor house stood there for many centuries until it was bombed in WWII. The site was part of a much larger council depot part of which is still in existence today.7 GoodGymers have supported Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum and Community Centre with 6 tasks.
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Previous sessions
Pumping
Thursday 23rd March 2023
Written by Latoya Stephens
Pumphouse has become a regular favourite for some of our Goodgymers who were very excited to see what has changed since we last attended.
The workshop had been emptied and some tables built along the walls. A task that seemed impossible a few weeks ago.
Two Goodgymers amongst some other volunteers set about sanding, painting and varnishing the furniture needed to be used in the workshop.
We can't wait to go back to this awesome spot to help out again and experience some of the hidden beauty that is located in this area.
Pump it!
Wednesday 1st February 2023
Written by Emily (She/her)
Yesterday we headed to the pump house museum to help paint a new community centre.
Latoya, Louise and Kris arrived at the pumphouse first. While they were waiting to start the main task (painting) they also unloaded a delivery for the museum.
Then the work started on painting (after donning lovely blue boiler suits). The room was very high so some scaffolding had been set up to provide access to the ceiling and higher level. Kristina did an amazing job up high all morning. I arrived fashionably late and helped with painting the lower skirting and walls for a few hours before lunch.
After lunch (in the museum) I headed off and Louise and Kristina carried on with the task. Even by lunch time we could see a big improvement in how the room looked and Sean (who was running the task) said the room was much more inviting than before.
The museum is a lovely place (open to the public on Sundays)! While we were there, some chefs in the cafeteria were prepping for a supper club in a tube carriage, which smelled amazing (better than paint anyway).
