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Culture

Know Your City: Pump House Park
RIC pump house park
The iconic Pump House was designed by Wilfred Emory Cutshaw and built in 1882. | Photo by @takeone.aerial
Have you ever been for a walk down by the river and found yourself looking up at an imposing Gothic building on the banks of the James? No, that’s not the Richmond Vampire’s mansion — that’s the Pump House.

Just south of Byrd Park and west of Maymont, Pump House Park features the former city waterworks. The Pump House was a source for Richmond’s water from 1883 until 1924, sending it uphill from the banks of the James to the Byrd Park Reservoir.

A prime example of the Gothic Revival style popular in the late 19th century, the Pump House was designed with more than pure function in mind.

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The Pump House ceased operations in 1924.

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Photo by @takeone.aerial

Designed by Richmond’s then-City Engineer Wilfred Emory Cutshaw, it featured a spacious dance hall just above the equipment room — making it one of the only buildings in the country to double as a public utility and a social hall. Until it closed, the building was a popular spot to host events.

After closing in 1924, First Presbyterian Church bought the property for just $1 in 1956. However, ownership eventually returned to the city, and it was was integrated into the James River Park System. In 2002, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Friends of Pump House Park was founded in 2017 to make sure the property was kept up. In 2023, it received a $500,000 federal grant to help in its preservation efforts.

Want to help look after a local icon? Friends of Pump House Park regularly hosts volunteer events to help keep the place shipshape.

This article is part of our “Know Your City” series, where we take a closer look at hidden gems around Richmond. We’re always looking for more suggestions for where to explore. Tell us your favorites.
Quiz

In its heyday, how many gallons of water did the Pump House move per day?
A. 3 million gallons
B. 8 million gallons
C. 12 million gallons
D. 20 million gallons
Water you waiting for?
 
Events
Thursday, July 18
  • The Gayest Show on Earth | Thursday, July 18 | 6-9 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2410 Ownby Ln., Richmond | $10-$15 | This queer variety show will include stand-up by Patrice DeVeaux, Eric Barbalace, and Nate Bechtel, plus drag performances by Chicki Parm, Beau Tox, and Lavender Menace.
Friday, July 19
  • Plunky’s Day in RVA | Friday, July 19 | 5-10 p.m. | Kanawha Plaza, 701 E. Canal St., Richmond | $40-$60 | Groove with the jazz legend plus EU and Desiree Roots.
  • “Total Recall” | Friday, July 19 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this 1990 film directed by Paul Verhoeven.
  • Boy Named Banjo | Friday, July 19 | 7 p.m. | Richmond Music Hall, 623 E. Main St., Richmond | $20 | The folk-country band will play with local act Will Overman.
Saturday, July 20
  • VMFA Community Yoga | Saturday, July 20 | 9-10 a.m. | Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Reserve your spot for this donation-based class outdoors at the VMFA.
Sunday, July 21
  • Christmas in July Market | Sunday, July 21 | 12-5 p.m. | Hardywood West Creek, 820 Sanctuary Trail Dr., Richmond | Free entry | Shop decor, art, jewelry, and more from local makers at this outdoor market.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Sports
  • Chesterfield has announced the inaugural class of its Sports Hall of Fame. Out of 40+ nominations, the county selected 10 athletes and coaches with careers beginning as far back as the 1970s. See the inductees.
Number
  • $58 million. That’s how much local developers Hourigan spent to purchase a 400-acre plot in Varina. The land, which sits just east of the airport, was rezoned in May to allow for construction of projects like data centers and manufacturing facilities. (Richmond BizSense)
Development
  • As the crews gear up to begin construction on the new ballpark, some community members are raising questions as to why the Flying Squirrels chose the project’s developers, rather than city leaders. The city has said that the project’s tight deadline didn’t allow time for a bidding process. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Outdoors
  • The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s newest report card ranks the James River as the healthiest Chesapeake Bay tributary, though its score was lower than last year. Data metrics are pulled from dozens of organizations and range from wildlife populations to economic disparities. (VPM)
History
  • The University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg unveiled five new plaques on the US Civil Rights Trail on Tuesday. The panels tell the story of the “Big Five,” a group of students from the 1960s who were the first Black women enroll at UMW. Fredericksburg was added to the Civil Rights Trail in February. (VPM)
Fun Fact
  • Did you know? The Virginia Lottery has one mission: giving back to public education in Virginia. Since 1999, all Lottery profits — we’re talking more than $12 billion — have gone to supporting K-12 students in our state.*
Try This
 
Health

Pro tip: Stay out of the James

VDH lifts advisory over sewage in the James
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The James has made improvements in several areas in the past two years. | Photo by RICtoday
Yesterday, the Virginia Department of Health issued a recreational advisory for the James River between the Manchester Bridge and Osborne Landing. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that any water activity where submersion in the water is likely — including swimming, wading, tubing, and whitewater kayaking — should be avoided.

VDH says they were alerted to a sewage leak on Tuesday, July 16. Both it and the Department of Environmental Quality are now actively monitoring high bacteria levels in the river.

According to several news outlets, testing conducted on Thursday, July 11 reported extremely high levels of E. coli in the water — roughly ten times what the EPA considers safe.

Bacteria levels tend to increase after rainfall due to Richmond’s combined sewer system. You can monitor river conditions as they improve using James River Association’s River Watch tool.

VDH has observed no impacts to Richmond drinking water, which is taken from a site well upstream.
The Buy

The Buy 7.18.24 (Affiliate)
Dreo’s oscillating tower fan for your bedroom, which is ultra-quiet, circulates cool air, and is still on sale for Prime Day.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
I remember learning about the Pump House in high school history, before the Friends of Pump House Park spruced things up. It’s been wonderful to watch as the building gets returned to its former glory.
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