About this property
The Bethlehem Waterworks , also known as the Old Waterworks or 1762 Waterworks , is believed to be the oldest pump-powered public water supply in what is now the United States. The pumphouse, which includes original and replica equipment, is located in the Colonial Industrial Quarter of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, between Monocacy Creek and Main Street. It was declared a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1971, an American Water Landmark in 1971, and a National Historic Landmark in 1981. The building is a contributing property to the Historic Moravian Bethlehem District, which was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 2012 and later named to the U.S. Tentative List in 2016 for nomination to the World Heritage List.
Location
Federal Designation
The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural significance. Listing on the National Register recognizes a property's importance to American history but does not place restrictions on private owners; it does, however, make properties eligible for federal historic preservation tax incentives and enables consideration in federal planning decisions. National Historic Landmark designation, the highest level of federal recognition, is reserved for properties that possess exceptional national significance in the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of the United States. This property is recorded in the National Register under reference number 72001142. It was listed on June 18, 1972.
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Questions about this property
When was Old Waterworks listed on the National Register?
Old Waterworks was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 1972.
What type of historic resource is Old Waterworks?
Old Waterworks is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Old Waterworks a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Old Waterworks has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Old Waterworks?
The period of significance for Old Waterworks is recorded as the colonial era, specifically around 1762.
Can I research the history near Old Waterworks?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Old Waterworks will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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An Aubrey US report for an address near Old Waterworks will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.