A project to restore the interior of one of Louisville’s National Historic Landmarks began this year as Louisville (Ky.) Water Company kicked off a restoration project at its original pumping station. The project will renovate and restore the interior of pumping station No. 1, which was built between 1858 and 1860 on Zorn Avenue at River Road as part of the city’s original Water Works. The site also features the city’s iconic water tower, also a National Historic Landmark. 

Louisville Water will bring the pumping station to closely resemble its original pre-Civil War condition. The work includes restoring walls and trim and an early 1900s cast iron spiral staircase. The project will also upgrade electrical, fire and lighting systems, relocate the restrooms and install a catering prep kitchen. This is the first large-scale interior project since the 1970s. Exterior renovation projects on both the pumping station and water tower were completed in 2009 and 2010, respectively. 

As part of its commitment to education, Louisville Water will develop the Water Works Museum inside the west wing of pumping station No. 1. The museum will highlight Louisville Water’s considerable archive of historic photographs, films and memorabilia and explore the company’s contributions to water delivery through its innovations in science, engineering and architecture. 

Development of the Water Works Museum is part of Louisville Water’s extensive education programming which reaches over 50,000 people annually with programming that extends into classrooms throughout the Louisville Metro region as well as tours of Louisville Water facilities through collaborations with schools, community organizations and cultural attractions. 

“In many ways, Louisville Water’s history is the community’s story and throughout the past 152 years, Louisville Water’s leaders have meticulously saved hundreds of photographs, reels of film and even pieces of the original water system,” said Louisville Water President and CEO Greg Heitzman. “Our employees continue to uncover archival materials, sometimes tucked away in a file cabinet or in the basement of early structures. We consider it an honor and a privilege to share these important discoveries with the people of Louisville and with our visitors.” 

Louisville Water has hundreds of photographs, some dating back to 1860, handwritten minutes and customer notes, original architectural drawings, pieces of the original water mains, meters and tools. The company even produced a silent move in 1938 showing the steam engines operating and mules cleaning out the reservoir. 

Badgett Construction, a Louisville-based firm is the contractor. K. Norman Berry Architects provided design. Solid Light, a local exhibit design company is working on the museum project. The estimated cost for the restoration is $2.6 million. 

The Pumping Station Restoration Project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013. The Water Works Museum will open at the same time.      

Check out a full-length profile in the upcoming November print issue of Municipal Sewer & Water magazine.

About Louisville Water
Louisville Water provides an abundant, safe supply of drinking water to over 850,000 people in Louisville Metro and surrounding counties. On average, the company produces 124 million gallons of Louisville pure tap each day. Louisville Water began as Kentucky’s first public water provider in 1860.