19/05/2026
The Kerosene lamp on the left was owned and used by the McKechnie family in the 1920s. Douglas and his sister Joan used to do their homework by the cozy light that it shed.
Electricity came to Geraldine about 1929. Before that the street lights were acetylene and on moonless nights a lamp lighter, who came from Denmark, went around at dusk to light each of the street lights & came back at midnight to put them out again.
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This vintage oil lamp features several key components typical of antique lighting.
Clear glass base and reservoir – The lamp is constructed from clear glass with a ribbed or textured pattern on the pedestal base
Brass burner mechanism – a metal burner like made of brass, sits atop the reservoir and includes a spurred wheel to adjust the wick height.
Glass chimney – a tall glass chimney cover the burner to protect the flame and enhance airflow.
Functional wick – the lamp contains a wick within the burner, which is designed to be soaked in fuel, such as kerosene.
