Discover - The Metropolitan Waterworks Museum
Waterworks Museum - Building Exterior
If you are like me, often times you may drive by a place of interest but find you have never actually stopped to investigate more... this is the case for me and the Waterworks Museum in Boston (technically Brookline) I have for years driven by this beautiful building and remarked to myself how stunning the architecture is and thought "wouldn't it be cool to check it out" As it so happens, I drove by the building this morning and as I passed decided to turn around and make today the day I learn more.
Located directly on the site of the original Chestnut Hill Reservoir, the Waterworks building was conceived to hold a very large water pumping station to serve the Boston area in the late 1880's. The station was fully operation until 1975. The exterior of the building does not immediately appear to serve an industrial function and although it is remarkable in itself, the engineering surprises hidden inside are even more fascinating.
The Great Engines Hall, which houses three historic, steam-powered pumping engines, is a Steampunk lovers paradise! I found the main hall to be filled with many interesting details, all of which are a great sources of inspiration - the red brick of the building, the huge expanse of windows, the wooden slated ceiling detail, the shinny brass fixtures from the pump valves and fixtures, the curving spiral stairs and the black of the wrought iron - all serve to tell a story and may find their way into some future creative pieces/patterns.
