Louisville Water Tower

Overview

Louisville Water Tower, historic venue and museum, features architectural, engineering and innovative water wonders!

Louisville Water Company’s original Pumping Station and Water Tower, located on Zorn Avenue at River Road, have stood on the banks of the Ohio River for 160 years, serving as a visual landmark for the city of Louisville and the water utility that bears its name. Designed by Theodore Scowden and his assistant Charles Hermany, the Pumping Station housed the Cornish steam engines that were part of the water company’s operations when it began in October, 1860. Scowden designed the station in Classical Revival to resemble a two-story temple with wings on either side.

In 1971, the U.S. Government designated the Pumping Station and Water Tower National Historic Landmarks. The Secretary of the Interior at the time called the tower “one of the finest examples of industrial architecture in the world.”

The Pumping Station restoration, which is the first large-scale interior project since the 1970s, brings the facility back to closely resembling its original pre-Civil War condition. Walls, trim and an early 1900s cast-iron spiral staircase have been restored and help to create a warm and inviting entryway as well as an elegant central Hall that overlooks an outside terrace offering a magnificent view of the Ohio River.

The WaterWorks Museum is located in the west wing of the Original Pumping Station. The museum highlights Louisville Water’s considerable archive of historic photographs, some dating back to 1860, films and memorabilia, and allows visitors to discover the company’s contributions to safe drinking water through its innovations in science and engineering.

Visitors can see original architectural drawings, pieces of original water mains, meters and tools used to keep water flowing over the years. Exhibits also include an original steam mud pump as well as lessons about Louisville Water’s groundbreaking efforts such as riverbank filtration.

Guided tours focus on the science of clean drinking water as well the importance of the architecture and engineering innovation involved in supplying consistently safe and healthy water to the community. The museum hosts student field trips utilizing curricula aligned to Kentucky Common Core Standards. Group tours and special event tours are welcome.

For more information, visit www.LouisvilleWaterTower.com