WaterWorks Art Museum

Introduction

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The WaterWorks Art Museum showcases contemporary and historical art and is committed to providing art-related educational opportunities to the general public. It is located next to the Yellowstone River in the historic Miles City Waterworks building, which was built in 1911 and still contains much of the original pumping equipment. The museum is situated at the north end of Pumping Plant Park, which itself holds historical significance. The park was part of the Tongue River Cantonment (a cantonment is a military camp) which was established in 1876; the next year it was relocated to just southwest of the city and renamed Fort Keogh. The waterworks building and park are listed together on the National Register of Historic Places.

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The WaterWorks Art Museum is housed in the historic 1911 Miles City Water Works building.

Backstory and Context

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Before the waterworks building was erected, the city drew water first from wells and then from the Tongue River. Both sources eventually became insufficient for the growing community. To remedy the issue, the City Council passed a resolution in 1909 to raise funds to build a new water plant (as well as other improvements) and a bond sale was authorized in 1910. However, since the plant was to be constructed on property owned by federal government, Congress had to approve the project, which it did in March the next year. Construction went fairly quickly and the station started pumping water on December 2nd.

It operated until 1974 when a new plant was built. The old plant didn't stay vacant for long, however, as the Custer County Art and Heritage Center leased the building that year. It appears that the Center either closed or became the WaterWorks Art Museum in 1977.

Sources

Doeden, Kathy. "Miles City Water Works Building and Pumping Plant Park." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. September 26, 1979. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/79003723_text.

The Montana National Register Sign Program. “Miles City Water Works.” Montana Historical Society - Digital Vault. Accessed August 6, 2020, http://digitalvault.mhs.mt.gov/items/show/20790.

"Our Story." WaterWorks Art Museum. Accessed August 5, 2020. https://www.wtrworks.org/about.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MilesCityMT_WaterworksMuseum.jpg