The Friends of the Water Works are starting our most ambitious project yet:

the Restoration of the Pillars at the 1883 Water Works.

Over the past 20 years, we have successfully completed many preservation projects, including replacing the capstones on the tailrace arch, using a combination of our own funds and generous community donations.

Now, our next challenge is our greatest yet. We will be restoring two historic pillars in the Pump Room. This is the first phase of a multi-step project, that will ultimately bring history to life even further by building a replica of the original pumps to rest on the restored pillars.

Our goal is to enhance visitors’ understanding and experience of how the Water Works once operated, and this restoration is a critical step in making that possible.

We are working with an expert stonemason to ensure the work is done with skill and care. The anticipated costs for this first phase are:

$1,500 to procure replacement stones from a local supplier
$7,500 for the labor and mortar needed to restore the pillars

With your support, we hope to complete this first phase in time for the 2026 season, preserving an important piece of Fort Collins history for generations to come.

To take a deeper dive into the Restoration of the Pillars Project, please visit our website: https://poudrelandmarks.org/restorationpillars

Help us bring the Restoration of the Pillars at the 1883 Water Works to life. Every contribution makes history possible.

About the Tip Option
The tip offered during checkout goes to Givebutter, the ticketing platform, not to Poudre Landmarks Foundation. Givebutter is a for-profit company that Poudre Landmarks utilizes to sell event tickets and manage donations. Tips help support their business, not our organization.

We advise you to make your own choice regarding tipping.

Poudre Landmarks will not be responsible for any tip refunds.

If you would like to support Poudre Landmarks directly, cash and credit donations can be made onsite during the tour or through our website.

*Special thanks to @davechophotography for use of these images of the 1883 Water Works.

Restoartion of the Pillars

at the 1883 Water Works, Fort Collins