Overshot Waterwheel

Overshot waterwheels generated the mechanical energy that operated all of Tredegar's furnaces and machinery from the Iron Work's founding in 1837 until just after the American Civil War, and although turbines replaced Tredegar's waterwheel by the late 19th century, water remained the fuel that powered Tredegar. Water entered the top of the wheel and spilled into each bucket, causing the wheel to turn, and a long rod called a drive shaft rotated with it to create mechanical power. The resulting kinetic energy activated belts and pulleys that operated lathes and other powerful machinery inside Tredegar's nearby machine shop. Waterpower was also likely used to stoke the iron furnace inside Tredegar's Central Foundry, as a small fan, or wind box, pushed air into the furnace to intensify the fire.

Richmond, Virginia · United States