Full steam ahead for Fort Amiel Museum

AMIEL PARK – Historic development at Fort Amiel Museum is well on track.

Curator, Louis Eksteen revealed the museum was to boast a comprehensive exhibit within the new two years, highlighting the rich industrial history of Newcastle and surrounds.

The showcase piece of the proposed exhibit is a genuine steel locomotive.

Eksteen explained the locomotive was generously donated by ArcelorMittal’s Newcastle Works, and would take pride of place in a replica railway station alongside the Fort Amiel grounds.

“This exhibit is significant because it will reflect the local industrial history, and Fort Amiel was mostly military in nature.”

Funding for the exhibit was expected in the new year and was provided through grants from the provincial Department of Arts and Culture.

The remainder of the exhibit will go out to tender soon.

Eksteen pointed out the fencing of the new exhibit area was already complete, and part of what remained was to transport the massive locomotive to its new home.

He anticipated it would attract many visitors from home and away.

The Fort Amiel Museum team has already laid hold of a number of items – such as original lamps – to emphasise the technology and appeal of trains through the centuries.

This should help build a good idea of trains in a local context.

“Our town has a rich history but also a complex industrial one too, including the establishment of Iscor.”

In addition, Eksteen said consideration was being given to establishing a railway tourism route, featuring many historic bridges and tunnels in the Newcastle area.

He hoped this would bring more attention to Charlestown, itself steeped in history.

“The village was named after Charles Mitchell who was governor in the late 1800s.”