Day long event includes, tours, kids’ activities, birthday cake and the Quench Water Bar experience, all for a special one day $1 admission price
(Louisville, KY—March 1, 2015) — Louisville Water Company’s WaterWorks Museum is celebrating its first anniversary today with a “Big Splash Birthday Bash,” which features a special all day (10 am to 5 pm) admission price of just $1 per person.
Exactly one year ago, Louisville Water officials and local school children cut the ribbon on the newly renovated and restored interior of Pumping Station No. 1 located on Zorn Avenue at River Road. Built between 1858 and 1860 as part of the city’s original Water Works, the Original Pumping Station was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. The extensive renovation and restoration, that included the addition of the new WaterWorks Museum, began in January of 2013 and opened to the public March 1, 2014.
The day’s series of family activities includes educational walking tours guided by Louisville Water educators, interactive activities for kids, including plenty of information and experiments about safe drinking water and its importance to the community. In the Museum, 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.
Visitors are able to take advantage of Louisville’s Water’s new Quench Water Bar experience where Louisville’s own pure tap® is infused with any one of a variety of favorite flavorings to help create that perfect personal beverage.
Since its opening, the WaterWorks Museum, as part of Louisville Water Tower Park, already has become a significant local attraction, hosting 50 special events and festivals, conducting 747 tours of the historic facilities and attracting visitors from 32 states around the country.
“One year ago, we invited our neighbors in to experience the new WaterWorks Museum and the renovated Pumping Station and to see how safe and healthy water has successfully worked in this community for more than 150 years,” said Louisville Water President and CEO Jim Brammell. “We are thrilled with the response to the museum and all of the community assets here at Louisville Water Tower Park and we are excited to continue to share our rich history in innovation and architecture with so many more neighbors and visitors for what we hope will be the next 150 years.”
The WaterWorks 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 region as well as through tours of Louisville Water facilities by collaborations with schools, community organizations and cultural attractions.
The new 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.
The Original Pumping Station is located on the site that features another of Louisville’s National Historic Landmarks, the iconic Water Tower. The entire site has been branded as “Louisville Water Tower Park” to highlight the over 154-year connection between Louisville Water and the community.
The WaterWorks Museum is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10am -5pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 3pm. Admission to the Museum ranges from $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for youth. Children under five are free. The museum offers discounts for families and those with a military and student ID. For more information about scheduling events and rental rates, go toLouisvilleWaterTower.com.
