Abandoned Historic Pump House In Northern New Jersey
August 6, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
A peculiar pump house rests in a discrete setting along the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
In 1885, the People’s Water Company incorporated and designed a system that pumped water from wells and into a raised reservoir. The pump house in Phillipsburg was the source of this People’s Water Company system.
The pump house’s reinforced concrete housing holds a remarkable 51-foot tall water pumping apparatus, also known as Big Alice. Big Alice is a 300-horse power, vertical, triple-expansion, coal-fired, steam-powered engine manufactured by Allis Chalmers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the peak of pump house operations, Big Alice pushed 6 million gallons of water each day from its wells to a reservoir on nearby Marble Mountain as it served the Phillipsburg community.
The pumping station was operational until 1969, when a new well system of submerged electric pumps went operational…
The pump house is now under the caring hands of the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center. The heritage center also utilizes the pump house as a storage facility , and what is stored within the walls is an unexpected wealth of fascinating artifacts, especially to an urban explorer’s eye. Inside and outside the pump house are mostly New Jersey transportation-related signs, lampposts, spare parts, rail sections, and vehicles, retained for a future Heritage Center museum.
While the pump house stood for decades like a silent reminder of Phillipsburg’s industrial past, in 2018, the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center completed the restoration of the steam-powered engine. The triple-expansion steam engine now asserts operational status and is the largest working standing steam engine in North America. (history and description of the pump house was taken from Cindy Vasko’s book, “Abandoned Northern New Jersey”, Homage To Lost Dreams. Used with the author’s permission. Follow her on Instagram:@cindyvasko_photography. I highly recommend all of her many abandoned series of books!)
Join me as we make a trip back in time, with private access to photographically explore this amazing pump house and property. 4 hours will fly by as you find unique compositions of Big Alice, and all of the amazing artifacts scattered about. There is also an abandoned bus, and house on the property that are open to be carefully explored. Registration number will be kept small to allow the opportunity for participants to get images without other people in their shots.
Instruction will be given during a pre-trek class(via Zoom), and throughout the extent of the workshop, on composition, exposure, overcoming the lighting challenges, gear and more. An image review of participant images will follow shortly after the Trek.
Registration all includes participation in a private Facebook group where you will be able to see other participant’s images and continue the learning process in a fun and friendly community.
Complete details will be email prior to the event
Updated Terms & Conditions – Valerie A Hoffman Photography (March 2023)
As we live in our new ‘normal’, the following updated policies are being put in place to protect the health and wellbeing of all workshop attendees, as well as those who we will come in contact with during events.
That being said, here is what you need to know and comply with:
- Anyone who is sick with COVID like symptoms or has a fever over 100 degrees must not attend the event. Amount paid may be put towards a future workshop, or can be refunded in full if notice is given in advance. Suggest checking your temperature BEFORE leaving home. By registering for an event, you also agree to a touchless temperature check at the initial gathering for any workshop or trek.
- Face Masks are optional unless otherwise specified.
Cancellation Policy:
Two (2) weeks notice is required to receive a full refund. 75% refund of the Trek fee with only one (1) week notice. NO refund will be given if less than one (1) week notice is given for cancellation. Must call to cancel. We reserve the right to cancel the Trek at our discretion. Minimum number of participants is necessary to run event.