The Dempsey Pump House, located on a 5-acre parcel in the Leonardo section of Middletown, was built in 1926 by the Dempsey family. The structure was never used as a residence, but as a playroom, community space, and pump house. The basement of the structure was constructed above an artesian well that supplied water for the surrounding houses prior to the installation of the municipal water system. The property’s ownership has been traced back to a Lillian Duvale, who sold it to William Dempsey in December 1920. Ownership was transferred to his son Michael in 1935, who retained ownership until selling the site to the Township of Middletown in 2004.  

The Trust grant will help fund the preparation of a National Register nomination for the Dempsey Pump House.