Governance
The London Museum of Water & Steam is an independent Accredited Museum, governed by the Kew Bridge Engines Trust. We are a registered charity (no. 269285)
The Kew Bridge Engines Trust and Water Supply Museum Limited was formed in 1973 with three primary aims:
- To restore to steam the five historic beam engines at the former Grand Junction Water Works Company’s Kew Bridge Pumping Station
- Add other important water pumping engines
- Establish a museum of London’s water supply
Since 1975 we have completed a range of projects, including:
- The restoration of four of the five Cornish steam pumping engines, the earliest dating back to 1820, which were built for the pumping station supplying water to West London until 1944. These colossal engines make up the largest single group of their type in the world.
- The collection and restoration of other types of water pumping machinery including steam and internal combustion engines and a waterwheel
- Building the “Water For Life Gallery”, a permanent exhibition exploring London’s water supply from the Roman occupation to the modern day
- Building and operating the waterworks steam railway, which demonstrates the important role railways played within the industry.
- Creation and implementation of comprehensive education programme tied into the National Curriculum.
- Established an archive covering steam and water related topics; an educational service for both adults and children; and a lively annual events programme.
- Implementation of ‘Project Aquarius’, a c£2.5m investment project funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Thames Water and other parties.
The Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible for the strategic and policy direction of the Museum. The Museum Director reports to the Trustees.
Recent Meeting Minutes
Other Membership Documents
Memorandum of Association (amended 2017 AGM)
Kew Bridge Engines Trust Articles of Association (September 2020)
Policies
A full range of policies covering all areas of the Museum’s work has been adopted by its Board of Trustees. These policies are regularly updated in line with new legislation and developments in best practice.