Electricity generator

Sponsor

Year

Amount

Dimity Higgins (née Dignam)

2006

$300

This AC Delco generator was used by the Dignam family for household power in the 1940s and 1950s. These generators were manufactured in the USA from the 1930s and were widely used by the US army in Australia during World War II.

Electricity did not become available for the general community on Lord Howe Island until 1953 when the Department of Transport installed large generators to power air navigation equipment. Up until then the island community relied upon smoking and salting meat, or ice chests for keeping food.

This generator has been part of the museum’s collection for some 20 years. Funds were used to engage local mechanic, Bing Simpson, to give the generator conservation treatment to limit future oxidation and preserve the original character.

Other past projects

Zoom In!

A recent major acquisition at the Museum was the purchase of a digital microscope, the Micro-Eye built in New Zealand by Micro-Imaging.

Portrait of James Dorman

In 2021, the Museum commissioned a portrait painting of founder James Dorman.

Woodhen book

This book gives information on often asked questions about the Woodhen, plus the story of its rescue from the brink of extinction in 1980. The production was provided by LHI Museum volunteer committee members Ian Hutton, Sue Nichols and Margaret Murray.

1960s souvenir booklet

Shirley had this booklet reprinted in memory of her mother, and to support the Lord Howe Island Museum. The original was one of the first booklets available to tourists after World War II.

World Heritage book

This lavish 264 page colour book is a celebration of World Heritage Lord Howe Island. Sponsorship of the book came following a visit to the Island by Michael Looker, Director of the Nature Conservancy (Australia), who felt that it is important to promote Lord Howe Island as an example of world’s best practice environmental management by the Lord Howe Island Board and the New South Wales government.

Front verandah

In 2013 the Museum carried out a major extension to the front verandah. This has provided an attractive setting for residents and visitors to enjoy the Museum facility, and also the cafe and internet services. This project cost the Museum considerable funds but it could not have been completed without the extraordinary generosity of many volunteers.