fairmount water works

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WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed

Rebecca Schultz Mapping Our Watershed 2023 Mixed Media, 60″ x 144″ This special exhibition, centered on artists’ observations of our regions, is directed by Karen Young for the Fairmount Water Works and curated by Thom Duffy. The curated selection of vintage and contemporary drawings, paintings and photography by Philadelphia artists is centered on the artists’ […]


Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is New Member in the Water Museum Global Network

The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is now an official 2024 member of the Global Water Museum Network (WAMU-NET), a flagship initiative of UNESCO-IHP (Intergovernmental Hydrological Program).  The goal of WAMU-NET is to promote a “new culture of water”, re-connecting individuals with all forms of water heritage by highlighting the natural, social, cultural, artistic and […]


Flooding in Philadelphia

Flooding is nothing new for Fairmount Water Works. Since the building was first constructed more than 200 years ago, several severe floods have affected the space, including Tropical Storm Hurricane Agnes, which is recognized as Pennsylvania’s worst natural disaster. Flooding from Agnes ultimately closed Kelly Pool, which had been functioning as a desegregated pool under […]


Dottie Baumgarten, FWWIC Educator, is Honored

Dottie Baumgarten, who has been an educator with the Philadelphia Water Department and Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center for the past 14 years, was honored by Need in Deed at their annual Soiree fundraiser, silent auction, and awards ceremony this month. Need in Deed is an organization that works to connect classrooms with the community […]


Take Me to the River: Boathouse Tour and More!

Take Me to the River: Boathouse Tour and More! Adults  and children 12 and up. Children aged 12-18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Meet at Lloyd Hall Recreation Center at 10am   Have you ever been curious about the 19th century boathouses lining the Schuylkill River? Together these historic buildings form the iconic Boathouse Row. Each […]


“TAKE ME TO THE RIVER”, A New Art Exhibit to Open at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center on Saturday, October 28th

The Schuylkill-themed art show features work from seven local artists celebrating the river and its ability to bring the community together. Curator and artist Corinne M Dieterle offers: “The Schuylkill river has been a source of inspiration for artists, visitors, and residents since Philadelphia was founded. On any given day, hundreds of people flock along […]


Dive into Discovery: Unveiling the Spectacular New Inhabitants of Our Mussel Hatchery for the 2023 Propagation Season!

Senior Aquatic Scientist, Lance Butler and his team of student interns have completed three propagation trials so far. You may know that the life cycle of the freshwater mussel is slightly complicated. Mussel larvae called glochidia must attach to the gills of a host fish to transform into juvenile mussels. In the lab, glochidia are […]


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 […]


Tropical Storm Isaias’ Aftermath

It’s been a little more than six years since consistent heavy downpours swelled the neighboring Schuylkill River and subsequently flooded our historic site. We remember well the impacts of Tropical Storm Lee, and Katia which hit in 2014. Last week, as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias, the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center flooded again. On Tuesday, August 4, at […]


The excitement starts this month in the Freshwater Mussel Hatchery!

The cold (or not so cold) winter months have given us time to get our freshwater mussel hatchery ready for the new propagating season. Tanks and equipment are cleaned and sanitized. Equipment is built or repaired. Three brood stock tanks have been set up for the gravid female mussels (gravid means their eggs have been […]