New Pump-House

The New Pump-House is a granite structure featuring Gothic Revival elements such as steeply pitched roofs, projecting gables, and lancet windows. An L-shaped wing was added in 1905, and a separate Beaux-Arts style pumping station was constructed in 1924 alongside the original structure.

Built between 1881 and 1883 under engineer Wilfred Cutshaw's direction, it served as Richmond's main water supply facility for more than four decades. The structure was expanded with additional components to keep pace with the city's growth and changing needs.

The upper floor once held a public ballroom where Richmond's residents gathered for social events in the early 1900s. It served as an important gathering place that brought the community together.

The building sits within Byrd Park and remains a standing structure where visitors can view and appreciate its architectural details from the exterior. Check current access conditions before visiting, as ongoing preservation work may affect public areas.

The building served a dual purpose as both a water utility facility and an entertainment venue with publicly used spaces on its upper levels. This combination of industrial function and social gathering place made it unusual among utility buildings of that era.