Home » Community » Steam Donkey & Powerhouse Demos at Museum of the Sierra
Image of the banner ad for Museum of the Sierra.
If you've ever wanted to see a steam-up of a 1905 Dolbeer Steam Donkey or a live demonstration of a Redinger Powerhouse, then Museum of the Sierra has got you covered this Sunday! Read on for more info!

Steam Donkey & Powerhouse Demos at Museum of the Sierra

SHAVER LAKE — It’ll be full steam ahead at the Museum of the Sierra this Sunday as the Sierra Steamers offer a free demonstration of a 1905 Dolbeer Steam Donkey, along with a dedication to Patrick Emmert. Bring the kids and let them blow the whistle! After that there will be a live demonstration of their Redinger Powerhouse, the only fully functioning demonstration powerhouse in the world on museum property that can generate electricity!

Image of the Museum of the Sierra logo.Date & Time: Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Event Schedule

  • 9:00 a.m.:  Coffee and pastries in the Museum Media room.
  • 10:00 a.m.:  Demonstration of the 1905 Dolbeer Steam Donkey steam-up, with a dedication to past board member and friend, Patrick Emmert. John Mount will present a plaque donated by Sierra-Cascade Logging Conference in Patrick’s honor.
  • 12:00 p.m.:  Demonstration of the Redinger Powerhouse.

For more information, please contact them at 559-841-4478 or via e-mail at cshs@sierrahistorical.org.

Museum of the Sierra
42642 Tollhouse Road
Shaver Lake, CA 93664
559-841-4478

About the Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum
Image of a log flume.

Log flume.

The mission of the Central Sierra Historical Society & Museum, Inc. (CSHS) is to provide cultural and educational experiences to deepen the understanding of the human and natural history of the central Sierra region. The CSHS is a museum without walls inspiring future generations to nurture a healthy resilient forest and community.

Founded in 1991, but its roots date back to the early 1980’s, when a group of individuals in the Central Sierra recognized the need for an organized effort to preserve the fast-disappearing history of the area.

In addition to the museum building, CSHS is actively preserving local historical treasures, such as a 1905 Dolbeer Steam Donkey, a 1912 caboose from the SJ&E Railroad, and a 1920 Mack Truck, as well as collecting the oral histories of area pioneers. The Sierra Voices series of lectures, field trips, and social events have helped to build educational programs.

Image of an outdoor exhibit at CSHS.

Interior of the powerhouse.

There is a demonstration-only powerhouse on the grounds that was dedicated in 2013. This is the only running powerhouse in a museum setting anywhere in the world. The gift shop at the museum provides adults’ and children’s’ books on California history, Native American culture, pioneer lives, natural history, wildlife, environmental issues facing the West, and recreational activities in the Sierra.

The Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) public benefit corporation and oversees the Museum of the Sierra and programs like the Central Sierra Resiliency Fund and A Forest Without Trees.

Image of the Museum of the Sierra.

Museum of the Sierra.

 Check out this short introduction video to the Museum of the Sierra!

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online