Shreveport’s 131-year-old water works located at 142 North Common Street is a pretty remarkable place, and now, people from all over the world know it.
This week, the website ThreeBestRated.com notified the Shreveport Water Works Museum that it was one of the Top 3 Places to See in Shreveport. Their review team looked at reputation, history, ratings, customer satisfaction and a number of other parameters in making their decision.
Within days, TripAdvisor.com alerted the water works that it had also earned a Certificate of Excellence for 2018 based on ‘consistently great reviews’ on the world’s largest travel site.
Comments on the site include everything from rave reviews of the tour guides at the water works to the fascinating history there. As Ann H. wrote in her review, “This was an interesting, informational and fun tour. Our guide was phenomenal. Learned a lot and enjoyed seeing all the old machinery. The mini model of the how the plant works was great. The windows to provide circulation and cooling breezes were something to see. Be sure to blow the whistle!”
The facility played an important history in the shaping of the City of Shreveport and especially in the development of downtown. The steam-powered plant was in use from 1887-1980, but the plant was in service until 1994. Much of the early equipment and tools still exist and are on display. The facility itself is Victorian-era and harkens back to a much different time.
“Our goal is to welcome as many people as possible to the water works museum,’ says executive director Dale Ward. “We know what a remarkable treasure it is and we want others to experience it, too.”
The museum is free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sundays, noon- 4 p.m. Visitors can take self-guided or guided tours and group tours are encouraged. Though admission is free, donations are always welcome.
