This film footage taken at the opening of the Launceston Municipal Tramways in 1911, appears to be the oldest surviving film footage of Launceston.
It shows a city with dirt roads, an absence of motor vehicles and fashions very different from today. This was the era when everyone, regardless of age wore a hat or a cap, and starched collars were popular with men. It’s worth watching the film just to see the elderly man with an incredibly long moustache.
It should be noted that the tram which led the ceremonial activity, Tram 1 is not only in the Museum’s collection, but so too is a fragment of the ribbon which the Mayor’s wife, Mrs Oldham cut to declare the Tramway officially open.
