Used to press the last juice from crushed and fermented grapes, which found its way in stills made from two laundry tubs producing home made Grappa.
Griffith Pioneer Park Museum
Griffith Pioneer Park Museum is an open air museum, located on 11ha of bush reserve 2 kms from the centre of Griffith. The museum specialises in the story of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, from pre-history, through the sparsely settled 19th Century stations to the closely settled, multi-cultural oasis of today. The story is told through the museums collection of 40 historical buildings, most original, and an extensive rural machinery collection. Multicultural heritage and make-do objects are special interest areas. Action Day, each Good-Friday is a major event on Griffith's Easter Calendar, followed by an Action Day for schools later in the year.
Address:
Cnr Remembrance and Scenic Drives, Griffith, NSW
Tel:
0269624196
Hours:
9am-4.30pm, 7 days a week.
Admission:
Adults $6, Pensioners/Students $4, Children (over 5) $2.50, Family (2 adults, 2 children) $15
Facilities:
Toilets, Picnic area, Barbecues, Shop, Drinks, Tea/coffee, Education kit, Video area. Disabled toilet, Ramp Access.
Collection:
40 buildings on 18 hectares of scenic reserve. Rural life, multicultural diversity, Murrumbidgee irrigation.
Items
Viticulture - wine press
Grappa Press
Creator:
Tom Bortolazzo, local Blacksmith
Description:
Predominantly timber, metal parts, blacksmith made. Slatted timber surrounds and base, steel straps securing the press. Lid of press consists of timber and a steel screw handle.
Date:
1950's
Rocking Chair
Sulky Wheel Rocking Chair
Creator:
William James Hurst
Description:
Made from parts of Sulky Wheel and wool bale straps.
Date:
1927
William Hurst the maker of the rocking chair was a teamster from the Carrathool, a grazing district. The rim of the sulky wheel has been cut to form the sides and the rockers, with some spokes left in position to form the legs and supports
Rural Machinery
Rice Harvester
Creator:
Watts and Reg McNamara
Description:
Made from variety of McKay harvester and other machinery parts, featuring wooden cleats on wheels
Date:
1940-45
All four wheels are drive wheels connected to the motor. A platform is attached to the harvester to enable a person to stand on and fill bags whilst in operation. The cutter has been extended full width of the machine to avoid track cutting. Cleats on wheels made from local cypress pine split logs. Cleats attached to wheels to prevent the harvester from getting bogged.
Rural domestic
Meat Smoker
Creator:
Hill family 'Bringagee'
Description:
Made from a hollow log cemented to the ground. An underground tunnel 3 metres long leading to the firebox fuels smoker. There is a hook inside the smoker for the meat to hang on.
Date:
unknown
Homemade smoker used for smoking cured meat. The timber used to fuel the fire determined smoked flavour of the meat.
Cottage
Fairview Cottage
Creator:
Alfred Hill and Family 'Tabitta'
Description:
Hand adzed, Cypress pine drop log construction. Cottage is in two sections and is joined by a covered in breezeway; some interior walls are hessian and log wallpapered with newspaper. The roof is corrugated iron.
Date:
1879
The cottage is a typical example of early settler's homes of this district prior to the advent of irrigation. The timber was logged on the property and built by the owner Mr Alfred Hill. On taking up the property Alfred was said to have looked out over his land and stated that he had a fair view of the hard work ahead, hence the property was named 'fairview'.