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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Apply to become a fellow today! For more information, contact Stacey Heffernan, FWW Fellow Supervisor at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.
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 […]
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 […]
In honor of Indigenous People’s Day, our River Days event (in partnership with the Alliance for Watershed Education, Exploring our Urban Watershed, celebrated the landscape surrounding the Schuylkill River both past and present. Participants discovered how plants that were important to natives for food, medicine and shelter are also important to us today in Green […]
How Fairmount Water Works Averted Devastation from Tropical Storm Isaias Many are familiar with the phrase climate change, an extreme change in global weather conditions resulting directing from increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, attributed to fossil fuels and other types of pollution. While we have grown accustomed to the term climate change, what […]