Joseph Bazalgette’s invention of the sewage system in London was undoubtedly the most important event for public health in the Victorian era. What surprises me, after learning the history of its creation and seeing the Crossness pumping station up close, is how little the average person probably thinks about something that has had such a huge effect on their life. This conflict between how important the sewage system is to modern life and how rarely most people ever give thought to it is reflected strikingly at the Crossness pumping station.
Bazalgette’s sewage system vastly improved the quality of life in London in the 19th century. It was the death knell for hygiene-related diseases like cholera, it led to the convergence of germ theory and the emergence of the new field of epidemiology, and it ensured the viability of urban living. It affected the lives of Londoners in even more direct ways, transforming the Thames altogether, from a stinking, muddy cesspool, to a clean, enclosed river.
The Crossness pumping station was a really eye-opening experience. Despite the huge historical significance of this place and the sheer grandeur and beauty of the engine room, it is essentially an overlooked landmark. It is certainly not a popular tourist attraction, and most Londoners probably have never even heard of it. The display area is dingy and small, with a few photographs and posters of information. This is not at all to deride the efforts of the hardworking Crossness volunteers; on the contrary, the state of the station reflects the divide between the enthusiasts who put countless hours in to restoring engines and leading tour groups, and the millions of Londoners who have no idea of the significance of this sewage station to their own lives. I was glad to hear that the station received a grant to renovate and create a proper museum. Hopefully this will allow the hard work that the volunteers have put in to be experienced by a much wider audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment