Crossness Pumping Station, which first opened in Bexley on April 4, 1865, is set to host a weekend of celebrations between April 5 and April 6 to mark 160 years since it was first opened.
The pumping station was built as part of London’s sewage system, constructed between 1858 and 1875, and was designed by renowned engineer Joseph Bazalgette.
This system was designed to help London’s suffering Thames become clean again, after many years of waste and sewage being dumped into it, causing fatal diseases like cholera to spread, killing thousands in London.
Crossness, which had both a practical and aesthetic purpose, was built with huge steam pumps to push the sewage out to sea when it reached a certain point in the River Thames.
But it was also built with impressive iron architecture in rich colours of red, green and white, to serve as host to a day of celebrations to mark the opening of the sewage system 160 years ago.
In April the pumping station, managed by Thames Water, will be hosting a weekend of celebrations with live music, guided tours and talks to celebrate the landmark’s long history.
Visitors will be able to take a tour of the pumping station to learn about its history and explore its interactive exhibits, which show what life was like before, during and after the pumping station was built in 1865.
There will be brass band performances from the Crystal Palace Band and Belvedere Concert Band, with songs that would have been played on the day it opened.
The event will also feature talks from former House of Parliament chef Terry Wiggins MBE, who will talk about what food was like in Victorian times.
Crossness Pumping Station will also be joining the Bloomberg Connects app, featuring exhibits and information from hundreds of museums, with visitors able to access interactive guides and information about this important landmark.
Chair of the trust Mike Jones said: “Our 160th anniversary celebrates not only Joseph Bazalgette’s achievement, which had such an impact on the lives of Londoners, but also decades of hard work by volunteers who have worked tirelessly to ensure that a true marvel of Victorian times can still be enjoyed by our visitors.”
