About

Our Mission & What We Are

The Pump House Regional Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 with a mission of enriching lives in the La Crosse region and beyond through visual, performing, and literary arts.

Pump House Regional Arts Center is located in the city’s historic water pumping facility originally built in 1880. The building is on the National and State of Wisconsin Registers of Historic Places. The Pump House is a multi-disciplinary cultural center with three art galleries, 130 seat jewel box theater, art classroom with pottery studio, and meeting spaces. Funds generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, membership donations, and classes help us support this mission, provide free admission to all galleries, tuition sponsorships, and diverse arts programming for all ages.

Funds generated through ticket sales, memberships, classes, and events help us support this mission, provide free admission to all galleries, tuition sponsorships, and diverse arts programming for all ages. Your support is very much appreciated!

Pump House History

The Pump House has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 and is a City of La Crosse Historic Landmark. The building served as the City Water Works until 1914 when increased demand for water surpassed the facility’s capacity, transferring operations to it’s current location near Myrick Park. The building was vacant until the La Crosse Tractor Company occupied it from 1919-1920. The Tractor Company departed and the building would remain vacant until 1926, serving the City Street Department as a general repair and storage unit.