Class: Watercolors on the Water
2019-07-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-07-27 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-08-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-08-10 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Explore the beauty and versatility of watercolor at the historic Water Works space on the Schuylkill! Enjoy behind the scene natural spaces while learning a variety of watercolor approaches to painting beautiful waterscapes. Students will take inspiration from the river that continues to define the natural landscape of Philadelphia and will be encouraged to find their own personal means of expression through paint. Class will conclude with an exhibition of original works of art at the Water Works in Fall 2019. Beginners welcome!
Class meets at the Fairmount Water Works. Instructor: Alicia Mino
For more information contact: 215-391-4806/aking@pafa.org

A Walk Along the Parkway
2019-08-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Philadelphia’s Parkway references the most beautiful cities of Old Europe and this walking tour will help visitors discover the magnificent buildings along Philadelphia’s own Champs-Élysées and what lies beneath them. Begin the tour in the From Schuylkill to Hudson exhibition and learn about the infamous Walking Treaty on the way to Logan Square. Then embark on a mile-long stroll down the picturesque path to the Fairmount Water Works, where wheels once pumped the City’s drinking water. Ideal for history buffs, cultural connoisseurs and architectural mavens.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable shoes strongly encouraged for this walking tour. Transportation back to PAFA is provided.
This Walking Tour is made possible with the support of the Fairmount Water Works.

Points of View Speaker Series: City Water, City Life
2019-10-26 14:00 - 15:30 | PA
In City Water, City Life, historian and author Carl Smith explores the development of the first successful waterworks systems in Philadelphia, Boston, and Chicago between the 1790s and the 1860s. Smith shows how the discussion, design, and use of waterworks reveal how Americans framed their conceptions of urban democracy and how they understood the natural and the built environment, individual health and the well-being of society, and the qualities of time and history. Smith is the Franklyn Bliss Snyder Professor of English & American Studies at Northwestern University.
Cost: $15 (free for PAFA members)

Engage With Your World: Find New in the Familiar
2020-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 | PA
During this two-part program we’ll search for the surprising and refreshing in familiar places, and the new and urgent in ourselves.
About this Event
This is a two-part virtual event, taking place on September 16 & 23 from 7pm – 8pm via Zoom.
These past months, it may seem that our personal worlds have grown smaller, or crowded, and our own lives nudged off course. In this one-hour program we’ll search for the surprising and refreshing in familiar places, and the new and urgent in ourselves.
Author Beth Kephart will lead an illustrated two-part ZOOM presentation and conversation on September 16th & 23rd from 7 pm to 8 pm based on her books—Flow: The Life and Times of Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River, Cloud Hopper, and the upcoming Wife|Daughter|Self: a memoir in essays.
She will inspire us to listen to/look for/document the sound of the rain, the roles we play in our lives, and the passions that keep us alive, among other imaginative prompts.
The second part of the event will be for creative sharing with the group.
Photo: Beth Kephart

River Days 2021
2021-10-02 11:00 - 14:00 | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
Enjoy hands-on activities for families throughout the day, plus a live performance conducted by the Cultural Heritage Fund Group, comprised of citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribe and presented by the Lenapehoking~Watershed, a place for water, art and culture.
Lenape performance/presentation starts at 1pm!
Space is limited, so be sure to secure a space for you and your family today!
Note:
Hurricane Ida is the second storm in recent FWW history that’s caused flooding of this magnitude. We understand that climate change is responsible for the intense storms we’ve experienced.
Due to extreme flooding at the Interpretive Center, this event will be held at The Discovery Center (, Phila., PA 19121).

POOL Opening / World Water Day
2022-03-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
POOL weaves together history, site-specific artwork, storytelling, scholarship and place-based learning.
The exhibit installations build on one another to illuminate a history of segregated swimming in America, and its connection to present-day drowning issues affecting Black communities.
Open Wednesdays – Fridays, 12pm – 5pm and Saturdays, 10am – 5pm.

POOL Exhibition
2022-03-23 - 2022-10-08 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

RIPPLE EFFECT: Curator and Artists’ Tours
2022-05-28 11:00 - 11:30, 2022-05-28 12:30 - 13:00, 2022-06-11 11:00 - 11:30, 2022-06-11 12:30 - 13:00, 2022-06-25 11:00 - 11:30, 2022-06-25 12:30 - 13:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Personal guided tours of Ripple Effect: Ed Grusheski Memorial Exhibition featuring thirteen local artists. The artists careers span from emerging to seasoned and the show includes drawings, paintings, sculpture and b/w photography.

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 care of land and water. Ed did this through promoting education of the history of our relationship of water and how the Fairmount Water Works came to be. The early 19th Century engineer Frederick Graff designed the Fairmount Water Works to more efficiently and safely supply Philadelphia’s water system infrastructure. Ed emphasized in his discussions and work why it is immensely important to preserve the history and legacy of the Fairmount Water Works and to assure its sustainable future.

Book Party & Exhibition Opening - "Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuylkill Navigation"
2022-10-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Please join Sandy Sorlien and other contributors to celebrate the launch of Inland, a new book of photographs, maps, and essays about the historic Schuylkill Navigation system and its mostly-hidden ruins. Inland was published in hardcover by George F. Thompson Books, designed by Deborah Larkin in Philadelphia, and printed by Brilliant Graphics in Pennsylvania.

Main Point Books will be on site with books available for purchase ($45).

An exhibition of prints and maps from the book will be on view in the Media Gallery through January 8, 2023.

2023 World Water Day Program: United Nations of Rivers Walk
2023-03-17 12:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Facilitated by the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, in partnership with TU Delft, PortCityFutures, Philadelphia Water Department, Global Philadelphia, and the Alliance for Watershed Education, along with Schuylkill Banks, Schuylkill River Development Corporation, and Delaware River Development Corporation
Friends and colleagues of all ages are invited to walk downstream along the Schuylkill River trail, starting at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. Along the way, participants will be recorded answering a series of questions about the river, to give voice to all living things and how much we depend on the river and the river depends on us.
Returning together is optional.
This River Walk is part of a global program to record voices throughout the world. Recordings will be compiled and shared at Spitzer School of Architecture on Sunday March 19th as a pre-UN Water Conference 2023 Event. All are welcome to attend. Concurrent walks will take place along the Delaware River and Pennypack Creek (with students from Baldi Middle School)
Schedule:

12pm – Gather at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center
12:30pm – Start Schuylkill River Walk downstream.

Note:

Brown bag lunch. Philadelphia tap water provided.
The walk has no end time—weather and people dependent

Open invitation to friends and colleagues of all ages to walk downstream along the Schuylkill River.

2023 World Water Day Program: Water, Heritage Sites & Sustainability
2023-03-18 10:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
DAY 2: WATER, HERITAGE SITES & SUSTAINABILITY (SATURDAY, MARCH 18 from 10am – 5pm)
Facilitated by the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, In partnership with TU Delft, PortCityFutures, Philadelphia Water Department, Global Philadelphia, and the Alliance for Watershed Education.
A full day program open to everyone about water as a lead up to the UN Water Conference 2023 in NYC March 22-24th, a mid-term review of the objectives of “Water for Sustainable Development (2018-2028) hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands.
A Delegation from the Netherlands will gather with Philadelphians at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center to affirm the central role water plays in sustainable development.
Program highlights include: speakers, lunch, guided tours of the Water Works, viewing of the award-winning “POOL: A Social History of Segregation”, and a closing preview of our latest exhibit “Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuylkill Navigation” with Sandy Sorlien. Join us for informal conversations and serious game playing that will celebrate water, public engagement, place-based education and the conservation of historic and cultural sites associated with water.

Brass in the Grass
2023-04-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center for “Brass in the Grass”, a special performance in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month.
Limited seating will be provided so we encourage you to bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket and bring your own food and refreshments.
Performances from 1–2 pm and 3–4 pm.
Advanced RSVP is appreciated.
Full details and registration here.

High Water: An Informal History of Flooding in Philadelphia
2023-04-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19127, United States
When a city is built along a river—and Philadelphia is wedged between two, the Schuylkill and the Delaware—floods are an inevitable occurrence, with sometimes tragic consequences. In this illustrated talk, environmental historian Adam Levine will talk about some of the worst floods ever to hit Philadelphia, beginning in the early 1800s and ending up with Hurricane Ida in 2021. He will also discuss the causes of different types of flooding that occur in urban areas, and what we can do to help mitigate future floods.
Levine has been delving into the history of Philadelphia’s rivers, streams, and water supply and drainage systems since 1998, as a consultant to the Philadelphia Water Department and as webmaster of waterhistoryPHL.org. His talks are always illuminating, and this one will include rarely-seen pictures, maps, and stories that he has uncovered in his years 25 years of research.
Adam Levine’s presentation kicks off SUBMERGED: A Changing Global Climate a special exhibition theme centered on flooding and Global Climate Change. The exhibition is directed by Karen Young for the Fairmount Water Works and curated by Thom Duffy. The exhibition’s purpose is to bring focus to historic and current extreme weather events impacting our region and the Planet’s struggle for survival. The show opens on EARTH DAY, Saturday, April 22 and closes July 29.

Brass in the Grass
2023-04-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
EVENT UPDATE: Due to the ongoing rain and wet outdoor conditions, Brass in the Grass will be held under the Water Works Pavilion today.

Join the Fairmount Park Conservancy and the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center for “Brass in the Grass”, a special performance in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month.
Limited seating will be provided so we encourage you to bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket and bring your own food and refreshments.
Performances from 1–2 pm and 3–4 pm.
Advanced RSVP is appreciated.
Full details and registration here.

Closing Reception for "SUBMERGED: A Changing Global Climate"
2023-07-27 16:30 - 19:30 | PA
PLEASE JOIN US!
Catered light fare will be served.
Refreshments donated by 31st and Wharton.
CONTRIBUTING GALLERIES/ARTISTS
Independent Artists: Loren Berckey, Diane Burko, Rhea Cutillo, Andrea Krupp, Anabelle Rodríguez, Laura Storck and Maura Williams
Cerulean Arts Gallery: Pia De Girolamo, Richard Estell, Susan B. Howard, Frederic C. Kaplan, Michael Rossman and Jill A. Rupinski
Thom Duffy Fine Art: Thom Duffy and Andrés Tavárez
Bridgette Mayer Gallery: Arden Bendler Browning, Tim McFarlane and Rebecca Rutstein
Schwarz Gallery: Antique painting by Arthur Melzer
Hollis Taggart: Bill Scott
The exhibition is brought to you in part by Fund for the Water Works and the Ed F. Grusheski Water Literacy Foundation.

The Watershed is an Open Book
2023-11-18 12:00 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
A fun, family program for PreK-3rd grade and their caregivers. (All siblings welcome)
All programs are free, but pre-registration is required.
https://tinyurl.com/y89rkpzr

A PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION.

Take Me to the River: Boathouse Tour and More!
2023-12-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Lloyd Hall, 1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
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 rowing club is a member of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, the oldest amateur athletic governing body in America. Join us on a walk from Lloyd Hall to 12 Boathouse Row, home to Penn Athletic Club, for an inside tour of the building and to learn about the sport of rowing. Learn how Fairmount Water Work’s innovative technology and construction of Fairmount Dam set the stage for this very important recreation area.
At Fairmount Water Works, we will enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a curator-led tour of the art exhibit “Take Me to the River”. One of the featured artists will discuss his special connection to the river through his artwork and demonstrate some of his most effective art techniques.
Learn about Philadelphia City Rowing, a program that is open to middle and high school students in the School District of Philadelphia, and where to get more information for interested students.
Program is free, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited.

To register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/take-me-to-the-river-boathouse-tour-and-more-tickets-764178998957?aff=oddtdtcreator

FREE MUSEUM DAY during the PHILLY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
2023-12-20 10:00 - 17:00 | PA
Come visit on Free Museum Day during the Philly Holiday Experience! We will be offering tours on the hour from 11 am to 2 pm and we will have a fun, hands-on, pop-up activity from 11 am – 3 pm in our LAB:
Fish: Playing it Cool around the Holidays!
Do you wonder what happens in the Schuylkill river in the winter? What do the fish and other animals do when the water gets cold? Learn about the cold-blooded residents of the Schuylkill river and how they survive the winter. You will also discover a physical difference between hot and cold water and how that can affect fish in the winter. Be creative and make a fish ornament to take home!

Trash Free Waters Art Show
2024-01-31 10:00 - 2024-04-05 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Come view a selection of entries from the 2023 Trash Free Waters Art Contest, organized by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.
Artists from across the Delaware Estuary region were asked to create a piece of artwork related to the theme of Trash Free Waters. Artwork could use any medium, but had to be created on a provided 12″ by 9″ canvas. The goal of the art contest was to bring awareness to the problem of aquatic trash and highlight the ways people can help be part of the solution.
Winners were chosen by public vote at the 2023 Delaware River Festival, held at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia on September 9th.
Winning artwork will be turned into advertisements to help share the message of the importance of keeping out local waterways trash free!
View during Interpretive Center hours until early April 2024: Wednesday – Saturday: 10am-5pm

WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed Preview Reception
2024-04-18 16:30 - 19:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
PLEASE JOIN US!
PREVIEW RECEPTION
Thursday, April 18th, 2024
4:30pm to 7:30PM
Wine, Beer and Refreshments
Graciously Donated by 31st and Wharton
A catered light fare will be available.
RSVP by April 12th
This special exhibition centered on artists’ observations of our regions, Watershed is
directed by Karen Young for the Fairmount Water Works and curated by Thom Duffy.
Visitors will wander through this fine art exhibition of drawings, paintings,
photographs by Philadelphia artists. The selection of antique and contemporary art
will capture our rivers, streams, wildlife, and tidal wetlands. The purpose of the
exhibition is to allow visitors to explore our watershed and discuss the intricacies and
nuances of balancing an ecosystem in an urban setting. How do the activities in our daily lives impact our watershed? As we view this exhibition, we are reminded that we are a crucial component of our habitat, challenging it’s sustainability.
Contributing Artists: Nancy Agati, John Carlan, Melvin Chappell, Chris Cox, Antoaneta Denkin, Daniel Flinchbaugh, Michael Frechette, Michael Gallagher, Richard Metz, Kate Kern Munde and Rebecca Schultz
Antique Paintings: Ethel Ashton and Seymour Rotman Courtesy Whitaker and Moore
Morris Blackburn Courtesy Michael Gallagher

To attend this event, please register HERE .

The exhibition is brought to you in part by
Fund for the Water Works and the Ed F. Grusheski Water Literacy Foundation

WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed
2024-04-20 10:00 - 2024-07-27 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed
Come visit FWWIC and view this special exhibition focusing on artists’ observations of our watershed. The curated selection of vintage and contemporary drawings, paintings and photography by Philadelphia artists captures our rivers, streams, wildlife, and tidal wetlands. The purpose of WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed, is to encourage exploration of our watershed, and discussion of the delicate and crucial balance of an ecosystem in an urban setting.
Curator and Artist Led Tours
Two one-hour tours will be offered at 11am and 1pm on:

April 20th
May 4th and 18th
June 1st, 15th and 29th
July 13th and 27th

Register for a tour
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM Wednesday through Saturday

Curator-Led Tour of Wandering: Observations of Our Watershed
2024-05-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
ART EXHIBIT TOURS
WANDERING: OBSERVATIONS OF OUR WATERSHED
We welcome visitors to register in advance for personal and engaging tours with Thom Duffy, Curator. Visitors will also be greeted by contributing artists so you won’t want miss this opportunity to hear from artists who are featured in this special exhibition themed on their observations of our regions watersheds.
Register HERE.
