Dionne Watts-Williams

view all posts

Ed Grusheski Memorial Exhibition

Runs April 16 – June 30, 2022 at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center Open during the interpretive center’s normal operating hours. Ed Grusheski had a gentle yet persuasive  positive manner that resulted in cultivating like minded friends, colleagues, and communities, inspiring them to become more actively concerned and committed to their personal use and […]


2022 Delaware River Watershed Fellowship

Spend the summer working with the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center! Lead environmental education and summer camp programs, bot onsite and offsite. Assist in planning summer programming and weekend family program activities. Serve as a model leader for FWWIC high school programs. Assist with weekend kayaking programs. Engage varied audiences and represent FWWIC in outreach […]


The Fund for the Water Works Awarded $3M State Grant for ‘Floating Water Workshop’

Historic Fairmount Water Works Awarded $3 Million Grant Through RACP for Innovative Floating Water Workshop Along the Schuylkill Banks Philadelphia, PA—Pennsylvania Senator Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia. First Dist.) announced The Fund for the Water Works as a $3 million recipient of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant to develop The Floating Water Workshop. The RACP […]


Fairmount Water Works Pledges Restoration and Resiliency in Wake of Historic Flooding

POOL: A Social History of SegregationExhibition to Open on World Water Day, March 22, 2022 PHILADELPHIA, PA–The Board of Directors for the Fund for the Water Works, the Philadelphia Water Department, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, revealed a plan to restore the iconic Fairmount Water Works buildings, which suffered inundation as the Schuylkill River rose […]


Resilience & Humility: Words from the Executive Director

To supporters and friends, both old and new of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, we greatly appreciate your kind outreach, and encouraging words in the wake of Hurricane Ida, which touched ground on September 1st. Fairmount Water Works was certainly not alone as we experienced drenching rains and historic flooding that struck our region, the […]


FWW Re-Opening Statement (July 1, 2021)

While the Interpretive Center remains closed to the public, our staff is working diligently to fully re-open just in time for our newest exhibit, POOL. Meanwhile, there are lots of things to do on the river and on the grounds with us, including programs for youth summer camps and intimate tours that explore our watershed. Be […]


POOL: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF SEGREGATIONEXHIBITION TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 3RD IN HISTORIC FAIRMOUNT WATER WORKS KELLY POOL

During much of the 20th century, public swimming pools played a vital role in the life of American communities. At one time, thousands of pools served tens of millions of Americans each year. Philadelphia opened the first outdoor municipal pool in the United States in 1883, however, public pools have also been lightning rods over […]



Remembering Ed Grusheski

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend, champion, advocate, and the first director of the Fairmount Water Works, Mr. Ed Grusheski. We will forever be indebted to Ed for his vision and quiet, steadfast resolve to not only build the Interpretive Center, but to awaken a public appreciation […]


With “Think Outside the Box” Kits, FWW Expands Watershed Education Curriculum to Hundreds of Philadelphia Students

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Fairmount Water Works is expanding their award-winning Understanding the Urban Watershed Curriculum with more than 800 hundred hands-on, take-home kits cleverly called “Think Outside The Box”. The curriculum focuses on learning about watersheds and the region’s Green Infrastructure. The kits help teachers respond to the need to shift to virtual classrooms from full-time in-person learning due to Covid-19, and inspire […]