Steam & Engines

Corliss Engine, 1892

In 1875 Rhode Island was the world center of the stationary steam industry. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) the New England Wireless and Steam Museum has the finest collection of Rhode Island made engines, together with the finest collection of original stationary steam engine drawings.

Large engines from the collection are on display in the Merriam Steam Building, while smaller engines and models are in the Mayes Building. The mechanical engineering library contains publications, primarily from 1880 to 1930, related to the history and development of steam power.