Metropolitan Waterworks Museum

The Waterworks Museum in Boston is such a cool hidden gem! I had the chance to do a photo shoot there, and the space is absolutely stunning. The historic machinery and intricate ironwork create an industrial-chic atmosphere that’s both dramatic and fascinating. The massive steam pumps and beautifully preserved architecture transport you back in time, showcasing the engineering marvels that powered Boston’s water supply. It’s a dream location for photographers, history lovers, and anyone who appreciates a unique setting. Definitely worth a visit!

Absolutely fantastic building, built better than a church in many ways .. exquisit brick work, architecture, and the carpentry, blacksmithing, foundry work , stands by itself as a true masterpiece aside from the machinery it houses. I can understand why it is said to be the show piece of Boston in its heyday. Fantastic machines. Well built and highly functional when they were in operation. Another thing that surprised me is these machines are said to have been whisper quiet when running. It's a worthy outing. The staff are friendly and outgoing.

Fascinating experience and fun place to visit with the kids. Good to know the history of waterworks in Boston. Event part is that it was free and had awesome tours.

Awesome and free! enough to entertain my kids, 8 and 5 for 90 minutes. might not be every kid, but if they like things like marble runs and magnet tiles. Super cool for adult, especially if you’re into steampunk.

It's a very interesting museum that tells history about the water system and engineering architecture that was built to do a water treatment in Massachusetts. This place also shows the importance of the water in an educative way to be aware and to preserve this resource indispensable for life . This museum is free. No need advance reservation. It is open daily, except Monday and Tuesday.

It’s well organized and preserved. It’s huge and explain well about its use and history. I know now how Boston is so green with lots of ponds . It’s free.

Highly recommended. We loved our visit to this museum! An amazing marriage of form and function, the old engine room and the truly impressive industrial pumping machinery inside are a real delight. We met the director, who was extremely informative and also rightly proud of the museum and its history. It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of this place, its architect, engineers and workers in the creation of Boston as a city. With the coming of a fresh clean healthy water supply in 1848 there was a 5 mile municipal parade and the people celebrated for two days after the switch on at Boston Common. It’s a shame the city authorities don’t seem to celebrate this wonderful feature with the same enthusiasm today.

This was my first time there. I am not an engineer by background, was a bit hesitant to go there but my husband insisted. It was a very nice experience. Information on plaques with videos, complemented with presence of volunteers to answer any questions, made it worth a visit. I was able to understand the functioning of pumps and engines just by reading the plaques and playing videos. They have some exhibits on level 2 and near the restrooms. Do check the latter ones, they have nice and detailed information about previously used commodes. Very informative and interesting museum!! The tour is free of cost but they appreciate a donation of $5.

" Hours Wednesday- Sunday 11:am -4pm it's FREE" "Waterworks Museum". Wow I live right near here and I didn't know this place existed . The y have a small parking lot . If this doesn't work out , they have street metered parking . It's very interesting. My husband and I had a great time . We learned something new , it was free . We even found non metered parking . So the parking was free .

Hidden gem in plain sight striking a gorgeous pose on the reservoir near BC, this museum is a work of art and function. You can see everything in under an hour - 15-30 mins if u just pop through and marvel at the architecture. Informative 30 min tours also offered, moves fairly quickly and is good for kids as well. There is a small exhibit and kidspace upstairs that also gives you a higher vantage point over the machinery. About 30 or so Free Parking spaces. Free admission. Drop dead fab architecture inside and out. Don't miss the basement restroom-level displays of yesteryear commodes. A fantastic and impressively aesthetic tribute to pioneering waterworks and engineering wonders.

Came on a Sunday afternoon for the special access tour, which was amazing! Our guide is clearly passionate about what he does and brought us to see the machinery up close. I personally wasn't great at science in school, but this stuff was really fascinating, especially to learn about local history.

Love this place! Every year I take my students there as their states of matter program aligns nicely with our curriculum. They seemed to have closed down for field trips, but I am hopeful I can take this year's class as well. Fingers crossed I hear back from them soon. They are a small museum, but perfect for my small class and I like that it is a novel place for them. They've been to MOS tons of times, so this is a great unique place to share with them.

This hidden gem is worth a visit to learn about the age of steam and how it powered the growth of Boston's water system. Giant steam engines and pumps are fascinating. The docent-led tour is informative and fun for all. My wife and I took our 4 1/2 year old grandson. He learned a lot and enjoyed the visit.

Our visit was incredible!! We came to this place on a whim and did not expect the fantastic experience the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum had in store for us. From the excellent preservation of the waterworks, the immersive displays, and the welcoming staff, we were blown away. We were particularly impressed by the connections with local schools-- several elementary and middle school projects about water conservation are displayed around the building. It's so cool that those kids get access to that type of experiential learning!! If anyone is looking for a fun, unique experience, come spend an hour at this museum!! This is the first yelp review I have ever written but we loved this place so much that we knew we had to give this it some credit!!

they had the largest wrenches i've ever seen! very cool place. we really liked it!! Informative and a good way to see an interesting part of Boston's history.

Very interesting guided tour the place is amazing. The tour guide was did an excellent job and it is FREE admission.

I had never heard of the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, even after living in Boston for 8 years. Thankfully, the Yelp Elite Steam Punk Halloween event put this Museum on my mental map! This historic Museum will not disappoint any fan of vintage machinery! The waterworks machines housed by the museum used to provide water for the entire city of Boston. Now, they lie silently waiting for your next visit. Although they're too large to describe in words, I've posted some cool pictures. Just imagine the ones YOU could create too... THE DEAL: the waterworks museum is free, but asks for a suggested $5 admission donation to help keep it running. The pictures alone are worth it!

The waterworks museum is a relatively well kept secret. If you're curious about engineering and the history of city infrastructure then this is the museum for you! You'll be able to tour the entire facility (budget about 30-50 mins) on your own or as part of a guided tour. There isn't an admissions fee but you are encouraged to donate. I appreciate this place because it is a great low-key activity that doesn't require you to plan your entire day around it. The well kept steam pumpa and the associated machines are an engineering marvel. I only wish there was more to the museum as the upstairs room with photos of the construction of waterworks leaves one wanting more. As a bonus, it appears that the building can be rented for private functions. Along the same lines, parts of the original building are now private apartments, so don't go wandering in the grounds! Overall waterworks museum is a solid spot for locals and engineering enthusiasts though I would not put it on the top of the list for tourists with only a day or two in town.

I walked by this museum daily for 6 years without going in! Yesterday was finally the day! Admission is free and they also provide free tours. The staff were very informative and friendly. A fun and inexpensive way to spend a couple hours. You can easily get through the entire museum in an hour and a half. Free parking is also a plus. Overall more geared for adults than kids.

This museum is located adjacent to the reservoir and records the history of the pumping station. Be sure to arrive on time and get the FREE tour that accompanies your free admission! The guide was very knowledgeable and piqued my interest in a topic I had not given much thought to... waterworks history in Boston. The museum it's self features giant cogs and wrenches, pistons and pits that are original to the facility. It is housed in one massive room and definitely stirs the imagination. Great for photography and I would think kids would like it too. Be sure to go to the second floor conference room for an Ariel view. They are following COVID measures.

From Reservoir station (D line), it's about a 10-15 minute walk to get here. (++)The view of Chestnut Hill Reservoir across the museum is absolutely stunning on a sunny afternoon. The water appears relatively clean and the sheer size of it with a running and walking path encircling the entire reservoir makes it THE perfect place to stroll n' work out. (+)Free admission. You'll be greeted by one of the tour guides as you walk in. He guided me to a small seating area that projected on flat screen tvs a short introduction of the museum itself. Another volunteer approached me after the video to give me a more detailed tour of the place. Granted I was the only person in the museum, which was slightly awkward, but whatevs. The museum houses 3 massive, retired steam powered pumping engines in their Great Engines Hall, each with their own unique properties. One has pumps that are vertically oriented, another horizontal, and a third was designed with pumps at 45 degrees due to limited spacing. Overall, the sheer size of the pumps and wheels are awe worthy. The 2nd floor features pictures of different Portuguese aqueducts. A glass window pane also allows you to get a higher view of the pumps. Favorites of mine were seeing Bausch and Lomb microscopes from the 18-1900's (I've only known them as an eyedrops company) as well as the nets used in their filtration process. (-)The one gaping thing the museum lacks is a visual, scientific explanation of how steam itself can run these massive pumps. That IMO should be the first thing visitors should be educated about. Yes, they've invested in a few touch screen monitors and visual stands with animations showing how the pistons and gears all work to keep the engines running back in the day...but the lack of science/understanding how these machines run left me feeling a little lost walking out. Overall, this museum would be of greater interest towards those in the engineering field or those interested in the industrial revolution period. Otherwise, it's a little on the tamer side in terms of museums.

I attended the grand opening of the Waterworks Musem last Sunday and had a blast. I was with a group of family ranging from college aged to a grandmother. Everyone was impressed with the quality of the tours put on by the Waterworks Museum volunteers. They even had some lead by engineers who had researched the history of all the machines. The pumps are pretty cool to look at. Be sure to go to the 2nd floor to get a great view. I think the museum would be a great trip for school children. On opening day the staff had the 2nd floor turned into an activity center where children could color, paint, and learn more about the water pumps. I'll definitely be back to take another tour. You really can't beat a free musuem like this in walking distance from the T. I uploaded a few pictures I took of the pumps to this Yelp entry.

Very unique museum with a creepy and steam punk type feel to it. The museum is not your typical art museum, so you're looking at internal structures and machines rather than individual pieces of art hanging on the wall or behind velvet rope. The staff of the museum and it's volunteers were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I think this would actually be a good museum for kids due to its overall atmosphere and ambience. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Cleveland Circle T stop, so it's worth checking out if you're in that area.

Went to Hallowelite Event or Yelp's Halloween Party here. The theme was "Steampunk" which was appropriate for all the giant machinery in the background. Overall It is a super cool and interesting museum. They allow you to rent out the place and it is a common venue for cocktail or theme/office parties. If you are just looking to check out the place it's free!...Although they recommend a donation of 5 bucks!

I was fortunate enough to attend a private group photo shoot at the museum. Ethan was our host and gave us a quick history of the museum, so accommodating staying after closing to guide us. The site is a photo gem. Space is huge and worth stopping by to see all the old water engines and pumps.

A perfect place to indulge my fascination with Massachusetts history -- environmental history in particular. I love tracing aqueducts on old surveyor's maps and trying to match them up mentally to paths and bodies of water that I've biked or driven by. My favorite fact I picked up from the friendly folks at the Waterworks Museum is that there used to be a reservoir on Fisher Hill in Brookline, so the water could just trickle downhill to Boston's neighborhoods from there. Relatedly, the history of Boston's water supply is fascinating to me in its own right -- the intersection of politics, nature, and local color. A couple books I strongly recommend on the subject are Fern Nesson's "Great Waters" (if you can track down a copy) and the anthology "Remaking Boston". Take a field trip to the Quabbin Reservoir while you're at it!

Such a cool little museum! Effectively free, though it suggests a $5 donation. Unironically, they will offer you water at the start of your tour. There's kind of a cheesy 10 minute vid you can watch when you get inside, but for all the informative stuff around I was most impressed by the machinery - how they could dream up equipment so massive and figure out how to pump water into a reservoir, elevated and purified, was pretty neat. I'm also pretty sure I learned that I'm a transcendentalist at heart. Anyhow. The volunteers are knowledgable, and they talk not only about the water itself but also the social historical context for the building's design, and what the neighborhood Res looked like 100 years ago. Looking for something neat, off-beat, informative, and cheap? Check the waterworks museum - a great non-traditional, non-touristy stop!

Really interesting fun museum if you like old giant machines. When we walked in the greeter asked us why we were visiting and we said we'd always wanted to come and she seemed surprised that anyone would make a destination of the museum, and even more surprised when we tried to pay the suggested donation of $5/person. We were offered a free tour and accepted. The volunteer who showed us around was INCREDIBLY passionate about everything in the museum (though he seemed like no one had taken him up on a tour in awhile). First he showed us a video, which was a bit of a strange awkward video of people in period costumes trying to explain why they needed the water, in character. Maybe it is just geared towards a younger crowd, but as an adult I could have done without that. The thing that makes this museum great is that they don't try to make exhibits with big posters, they just have these giant cool machines and you can walk around and look at them. They don't try to fluff it with filler or keep you in the museum longer than is needed. They have little things explaining a bit of the engines' histories and how they work and the tour guides could tell you all about them in any amount of detail you want, but at it's core it's a big beautiful old building where you can look at big beautiful old machines. It smells great too for anyone out there who loves the smell of old steam engine grease.

Seriously a great museum! They have a movie that plays every half hour or so that gives you a historical backdrop of water systems in Boston in the early 1900s. The museum curator is enthusiastic and obviously loves what he does. The engines are incredibly impressive to see, and they have CAD videos that explain how they used to run. I drop one star because it probably wouldn't be the easiest to self tour. They are a new museum, so I cut them some slack. I think they could use their upstairs area to show some simple demonstrations of how the engine works. They could put up some demonstrations of pistons for examples that kids could play with, and show on a map where those pieces are on the big engine. Or some demo of the water movement by the pumps in a trough. I dont know, just some more interactive pieces that would get kids more interested in the mechanics of this amazing machine!

A great museum! A must-see. First off, it's free (although they naturally ask for a donation). The museum is one huge room full of huge pumps and steam engines. It's remarkable! You stroll around the massive machines and read well-written, informative signs. Animations help you visualize the machines in motion, and there are period photographs. Every 15 minutes a video begins. An actor portrays Desmond FitzGerald. He summarizes 19th-century water engineering and related social concerns. After the video, an interpreter greets you. Our interpreter was friendly and enthusiastic. But although he knew a great deal about the machines (he was very well-versed in engineering), he seemed to know relatively little about the history. Perhaps this varies by interpreter. Perhaps the WaterWorks is mainly a science and technology museum. He did tell us that their interpreter training is not yet standardized. Whatever the case, we were not disappointed, even if the museum kindled more interest in Boston's water history than it could sustain. Great place.

What a gem! Suggested donation to visit, easy to get to, easy parking. It's not an all day affair to visit, but if you know what you're looking at I'm sure you could spend several hours exploring. My dad loves machines and engines and as a kid he took us to steam engine shows and museums and I thought I had seen it all so I was not particularly enthused when my husband suggested we check this place out. I was pleasantly surprised at just how impressive it was, from the cleanliness to the steampunk design from before it would be called steampunk. The mahogany and the opulence of the machines was totally gorgeous. The museum manager gave us a brief overview and then directed us to a volunteer tour guide who gave us a super informative and interactive walk through the history and design of the building and the engines. Everyone was friendly and it was a great place to bring the kids, since there's lots of room to walk around and you're not constantly worried about them touching something priceless like in most museums, and the guides took the time to explain to them how the engines worked and why they were needed. Great place to spend an afternoon and learn about something new!

I was here for Bully Boy's first birthday party - speakeasy style. I enjoyed wandering through the main room of the museum sipping my drink and marveling at the massive machinery. I'm not sure how enthralling the museum is during the day, but what a great venue for a cocktail party.

Years in the making, the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is open to the public! I am a fool for museums and was very impressed by what the waterworks has to offer. I don't get into machines or engineering, but the building and pumps (original, steam powered equipment) represent such an amazing feat of capital, technology, need, and vision, that one can't help but be impressed! The Richardsonian buildings are a sight to behold, too. I thought their exhibits provided a nice balance between the machines (and how they worked) and Boston's social history: population growth + anitquated water delivery system + massive fire = need to change. Public works are critical to modern living and are the unsung heros of our cities. The museum brings to life the people and technology that solved these difficult issues. The musuem still has some work to do: programs, brochures, education programs, etc. Still, it is free and a welcome addition to Boston's cultural scene.

This is a local treasure. I am so glad that they got the museum up & running. Between the restoration they did for the exhibits and the Community Room the future is great for this place! Inquisitive kids will be enthralled, and it is a chance to rediscover the guts and determination that built what we take for granted.

Metropolitan Waterworks Museum is a family friendly educational museum for adults and children of all ages. The staff are very knowledgeable and well versed on the subject matter and are more than prepared to answer all questions! I work at an organization that supports adults with disabilities, and the Waterworks Museum is a great venue for a community outing, that supports history and education experiences. I highly recommend this Museum to all who live in the area and who come to visit the great city of Boston! Chris S. Wellesley, Massachusetts

Event/Wedding Review: I recently finished working with Christine and the staff of the the Waterworks on my wedding reception that was held at the Museum in the end of September. Quick snapshot: A remarkable alternative wedding reception venue, professional and responsive staff, beautifully maintained historical treasure, and a real value for the money. My husband and I wanted to plan a alternative and unique wedding reception. We also estimated about 170 guests would attend. So this immediately knocked a lot of restaurants, reception venues and unique spaces (lofts, etc). When I walked into the the Waterworks Museum, I knew I'd found what we were looking for. Elegantly renovated, remarkably cared for and super unique, the museum would require little decoration since the artisans who created the engines, installed the mahogany ceiling and bass works who made the bass rails did all the decorating work necessary. The "wow" factor of a two story building should not be overlooked! But we all know a venue is only as good as its staff. Christine, the Manager of Events, is why I really feel a need to write this review. A lot of event managers would balk at some of our ideas: a live band karaoke with the groom as the drummer? lots of sit-ables but no formal tables or assigned seating? a variety of vendors delivering four different kinds of desserts, and a stage with sound system? Christine DID NOT BAT AN EYE!!! In fact she suggested plenty of ways to make the event run smoothly and worked through the day of game plan with us several times. I think this comes from her positive attitude and sense of humor. She even figured out a way to help us get more guest parking on the same day as the BC vs. FSU football game- Christine is a miracle worker. If you are a couple who are looking for an elegant, exciting and unique reception venue- the Waterworks is the place for you. If you a couple with lots of creativity and want to work with a staff who embraces new ideas- the Waterworks is the place for you. If you are a couple who wants their guests to not only be wowed by the reception but feel well taken care of - the Waterworks is the place for you.

What a great museum. I never heard of it until I saw an ad for an exhibit on preservation. The waterworks part of it was so cool, we forgot to check out the exhibit, so we'll have to go back. Admission is free but they suggest a $5 donation. Our tour guide was excellent, knowledgeable but also interested in learning from the visitors. Strangely she got us to sing along without it seeming the least bit pushy or odd. The machinery is awe-inspiring, and I suspect you will learn a great deal about the history of public water supplies in greater Boston. I know I did.

I found out about this cute little museum by accident two months ago and just had to go. Great architecture, great location - in the midst of a park - although a bit out of the way, it is T accessible. The ginormous pumping machines are not currently pumping but are SUPER impressive nonetheless. When was this thing built again? The museum is free AND has convenient hours. It also has a great lecture series on topics such as water, public health, architecture, and other related subjects. This is definitely a place to take your engineering and architecture buddies, especially your civil and mechanical engineering friends - this place is actually an American Society of Mechanical Engineers historic landmark. HOWEVER, it is a great place for anyone to go to because it is just so different than what you get everyday. It doesn't have an in-your-face educational vibe, but it is pretty neat to learn about the evolution of our water system, which most of us take for granted every day. It's a small place and it won't take you too much time to explore it, but it's right by a park so couple it with an outing by the reservoir and you'll have yourself a very nice Sunday afternoon.

Recommended for everyone! It might not have a major collection, but it's a very interesting part of the history of the city whether you're a local or a foreigner, not to mention the beautiful main building, a real jewel of industrial archeology. Easy to get to by T (Green Line 'C' to Cleveland Circle). Amazing view of Chestnut Hill Reservoir (one of my favorite spots in the area). Opening in Autumn 2010...check it out!

This place blew me away--any engineer or architecture peeps would be in heaven. It is so beautiful. It needs help with more kid-friendly activities, but it's a suggested donation, no ticket charge; and probably one of the most interesting buildings you will ever enter, so I highly recommend it. Also: FREE PARKING behind the building. Until it gets popular and busy and then forget it.

Amazing! Brand new and spotless! They have tours on the first floor along with interactive monitors to educate you. This place is in pristine condition and the staff is extremely helpful and educated. Bathrooms on first floor brand new and a children's room on second floor w/ kids games overlooking the museum. Absolutely stunning. Would recommend to families with children.

I have visited museums all across America and many in Europe. It was so gratifying to visit a museum right here in Boston that was so surprisingly dramatic and memorable. I was amazed at the character of the space and structure of the pumps. It is a unique and special experience. Lou Sirianni FAIA

I am such a fan of this museum that I co-produced a 12-minute documentary about it called "Big Buildings, Big Machines, Big Stories" that's available for viewing on Vimeo: (http://vimeo.com/67590218). This place is awesome, in the truest sense of the word! One of Boston's treasures.

Living Museum with Exceptional Programming. Went to a fabulous event here. Massive machinery rose out of the darkness, lit by only the flickering from film projectors showing experimental films made by a local analog film collective as local musicians improvised a live performance. Talk about using the space and the local attributes - past and present - well! The exhibit was extremely dynamic - one could walk all around and because of the ever changing visuals and live sound performance which filled the space, never have the same experience twice! The event was well attended and there seemed many young well dressed people, transfixed by the flickering combination of ethereality and infrastructure. A neat touch as well that the flickering rhythm of the film projectors evoked water, a nod to the pump station's history, and that when the sound performance went quiet, the sound of multiple film projectors seemed a kind of aural echo to the large wheel pumps one could see. I'm sure this museum would be wonderful to visit any time, to see this formidable infrastructure in all its glory. But the evening series is really worthwhile, and I think they have an event almost every week!

A lovely museum of old steam machines set in the suburbs of Boston. This attraction is free to enter, and you should make a donation if you enjoyed it. The museum houses equipment that pumped drinking water to Boston in the early 1900s, and shows a number of panels educating the public on the importance of safe drinking water and how the equipment made this possible. There are some interesting videos and interactive computers to explain more about the history. One museum staff, Alan L, gave me an unsolicited and wonderful tour of everything - this was far better than the treatment at more popular museums in downtown Boston where you won't get this kind of individual attention. Upstairs there are some art and paintings displayed, and civil engineering toys to keep the kids entertained. Overall, it was an underrated and fun museum to visit!

Joined a tour with Joe. He was a great informative tour guide. He knew all about the history and explained how and where everything worked together. They have a bingo sheet for kids, but children will get bored there.The schools around the area go there for guided tours, and the children get to filter water themselves. Everything is kept in a great condition, it's a cool place to check out it you get the chance.

I had a tour of the museum today and it was great! I highly recommend seeing this museum if you are interested in the history of machinery. The huge pumps are beautifully preserved. There are lots of amazing pictures, videos, and artifacts relating to the water supply to Boston that I have never seen before. The staff is very enthusiastic and informative.

I just held a surprise birthday party here for my husband and two days later, I am still receiving emails from those who attended about how wonderful and how much fun the party was. One of the consistent comments was "How did you find this place? It's wonderful!" and it is, at least for an event. The big machinery all around is so different - and lends so much atmosphere, in a charming and beautiful old building - that a hotel venue for a party cannot hold a candle to the museum as a party venue. When I first booked the museum, Christine (mentioned in another review) was the event manager and was very responsive. She moved on to another job a little after I booked the museum, but Rebecca, who took over for Christine, was also terrific, especially the day and evening of the event. She had to respond to requests to deal with lighting, sound (including presentation by family, a performer, and a playlist), and whatever issues I needed to deal with (like not having my husband park where everyone else parked as he might have recognized his friends' cars). She managed it all exceptionally well.