[BCMA] Fwd: CMA Clip Serv: Heritage power house evokes electric memories

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

*Heritage Duncan power house evokes Electric*
*Memories*
Kathryn Gagnon, Postmedia News, Wednesday, May 16, 2012

The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives is offering a salute to energy in 
B.C. with a display about one of Duncan's older heritage buildings: the 
Duncan power house.

Also on view is a display of artifacts from the museum's collection 
depicting how tools and appliances were transformed by electricity.

"I can still hear the thud, thud, of that ancient meter as it thudded 
away those months and years. It is deeply imbedded in the hearts of the 
old timers as we were able to cast away our candles and oil-lamps, as a 
new era in life of Duncan evolved," recalled Duncan resident George 
Mutter in 1982.

The Duncan power house occupied a site on Canada Avenue in a brick 
building that is still in existence today.

That building represents the formative years of Duncan's history, along 
with the train station, the post office -- now Duncan City Hall -- and 
the old telephone building on Craig Street.

Photographs from the museum's archives illustrate the story of the old 
power station and some of the people who worked there. With the advent 
of electricity new tools and appliances were designed to lighten the 
load of physical labour.

Another display called "New and Improved!" features artifacts that were 
improved by electricity such as carpet sweepers, irons and foot warmers.

When styling hair, waves were once made by heating a tool for that 
purpose on a hot stove. Later a fantastic machine was developed to 
create permanent waves - if you were brave enough to use it!

All these "Electric Memories" are on view until May 18.

The Museum is located in the Duncan Train Station. During the Station's 
Centennial year, admission is by donation.

---   30   ---
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.vvv.com/pipermail/bcma/attachments/20120518/5a31511b/attachment.htm