New Pump-House
Also known as: Byrd Park Pump House; 127-193
Why it's listed
Overlooking the Three-Mile Locks of the James River and Kanawha Canal in Richmond, this granite waterworks was built between 1881 and 1883 to a Gothic Revival design by city engineer Colonel Wilfred Emory Cutshaw. Pumping machinery occupied the lower level, while the upper story was an open-air pavilion with Tudor arches, cast-iron columns and tin railings. It was enclosed in 1899 with stained glass and wood trim and used for dances and other entertainment. A matching L-shaped annex was added in 1905 to house power-generating equipment. Steep slate roofs, pinnacled gables, lancet windows and arrow loops give the building its medieval character. The machinery was scrapped before World War II, and the building has been vacant since 1924, with boarded windows and a deteriorating roof. Two other pump houses on the grounds, an Italianate steam pump building from 1881-1882 and a Beaux Arts hydroelectric station from 1924, add architectural variety and remain in service.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture, set in a picturesque wooded location beside the James River and Kanawha Canal. It is also unusual for combining a working waterworks with an upper-floor pavilion used for dances and public entertainment. Together with the 1924 Hydro Electric Pumping Station and the Worthington Steam Pump Building, it documents the development of Richmond's water supply.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 02001366, listed November 21, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1708 Pump House Dr., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | November 21, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001366 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1881 - present |
| Architect / builder | Cutshaw, Colonel Wilfred Emory |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival (main building); Beaux Arts, Italianate and No Style also listed for other resources |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The New Pump-House is listed as vacant/not in use, with windows and doors boarded up and a roof in critical condition. The Hydro Electric Pumping Station and Worthington Steam Pump Building are still functioning pump houses. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.53584, -77.48507 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 02001366.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16895812
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.