The building at Pumphouse Park is an impressive Gothic Victorian structure built with beautiful granite in 1882. It once pumped water from the James to meet Richmond’s water needs. In addition to wooded trails, visitors can view three historic canals, two granite canal locks, and an 18th Century archway celebrating a visit from George Washington.
Use caution when crossing the wooden bridges that span the canals. There is no access to the James River from Pumphouse Park.
feeding byrd park
The northernmost canal, the Power Feeder Canal, fed water uphill to Byrd Park.
First in America
The middle canal system, the Kanawha, offered passage around the rapids, and began the James River Canal System, the first in the U.S.
Hours
Open from sunrise to sunset every day.
Friends of the James River Park is a private, not-for-profit organization, and is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal EIN (tax ID) number 26-3587880.
Friends of the James River Park
P.O. Box 4453
Richmond, VA 23220
friends@jamesriverpark.org