Fairmount Water Works

"Falling Waters: The Legacy of the Schuylkill Navigation"
2016-09-15 - 2016-12-30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Falling Waters: The Legacy of the Schuylkill Navigation
A Culture & Conversation Exhibit by Sandy Sorlien
On exhibit in our Media Room and stairwell until December 30, 2016, during regular hours.
Closing Reception: Thursday December 29, 5:30-7 PM, Gallery Talk 6:15

About the Exhibit
No human endeavor has had a greater influence on the Schuylkill River than its 19th century network of dams. Yet residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania today may know little about the Schuylkill Navigation, as most of its infrastructure is gone. There were once 32 dams, 46 miles of slackwater pools, 62 miles of canals, and 120 locks.
Constructed from 1816-1828 to tame the wild river, the privately-owned system extended 108 miles from Fairmount to Port Carbon. Thus began a long period of human dominance of the river for our own purposes: transportation, commerce, power, and recreation. Anthracite coal, other raw materials, and finished goods were carried on barges over this system, literally fueling the Industrial Revolution in the Schuylkill Valley. It brought numerous factory boom towns like Norristown, Conshohocken, and Manayunk. Unfortunately, with this development came heavy pollution of Philadelphia’s drinking water source. Finally in 1947-51, our state and federal government accomplished a massive cleanup, the Schuylkill River Project, dredging coal silt from the river and largely restoring its flow.
Most of the infrastructure of the Schuylkill Navigation was demolished. But there are four remaining navigation dams, two desilting dams, two watered canals, one working lock, and numerous dam abutments, lock ruins, canal traces, and silt impoundment basins. Some remnants are buried or overgrown or blocked by railways. In 2013, photographer Sandy Sorlien began looking for them.
At the 200th anniversary of the Schuylkill Navigation, this exhibition represents the first three years of Sandy’s ongoing quest to photograph all 32 dam sites on her native river.
“Falling Waters” will be on display at the Fairmount Water Works from September 15 – December 31, 2016. (The gallery is occasionally used for private events. Calling ahead is suggested.)
About the Artist
Sandy Sorlien is a photographer, neighborhood planner, and watershed educator. Her photographs are in the collections of numerous institutions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Michener Museum, and Haverford College. Since 2012 Sandy has been a contractor at the Fairmount Water Works, the education arm of Philadelphia Water. She has developed several upriver dam-related programs, including the Falling Waters tour series and the Schuylkill Dam Series geocaches. She was born and raised in the Schuylkill River watershed and lives in Roxborough near the Manayunk Canal. Sandy rows out of Bachelors Barge Club on Boathouse Row, and watches carefully for herons, kingfishers, and otters – all biological indicators of a healthy river.
About Culture & Conversation
Using art as the platform, Culture & Conversation prompts meaningful, thought-provoking dialogue about our environment.

Urban Sea Exhibit by Melissa D’Agostino
2016-09-27 16:00 - 19:00, 2016-09-29 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
URBAN SEA, a site-specific textile installation and interactive experience byMelissa D’Agostino, inspires conversation about the river’s historic role as a water mass and its future evolution based on the health of our watershed systems. Engineered to unfurl alongside the river between six of the historic pavilion columns, URBAN SEA will showcase 60 yards of silk organza fabric hand-dyed by the artist’s itajime technique of patterned vertical lines.

Viewers will see the one of a kind patterned tapestries blowing with the breeze, creating the billowing waves of an URBAN SEA.
URBAN SEA will be on display from Monday, September 26 through Thursday, September 29. Exhibit times are as follows (under the FWW Pavilion):

Monday (4pm – 7pm)
Tuesday (4pm – 7pm)
Wednesday (4pm – 7pm)
Thursday (4pm – 7pm)

Throughout the exhibit, D’Agostino invites visitors to express their own thoughts of the experience at a poetry desk and drawing table. She’s also collaborated with a local letterpress maker to develop a commemorative card for URBAN SEA featuring a poem and drawing by the artist, as a special gift for each viewer to remember and share their experience of the installation.

"Falling Waters: The Legacy of the Schuylkill Navigation" (Reception)
2016-12-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

Sunday Selfie: Rachel Carson
2017-04-02 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-04-09 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-04-16 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-04-23 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-04-30 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-05-07 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-05-14 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-05-21 13:00 - 17:00 and 4 more dates | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Take your photo with a renowned scientist – taking the history of science to a new dimension (2-D that is).
This quarter, come take your picture with a full-size image of Rachel Carson standing with her binoculars, observing the natural world. On the main floor of the FWW, and learn about her contributions to launching the modern environmental movement, in particular with a copy of Silent Spring, the book that awakened the concern of Americans for the environment.
About Rachel Carson

Born May 27, 1907, in Springdale, PA.
World renowned marine biologist, author, and environmentalist.
Served as editor-in-chief for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Best known for her fourth book, Silent Spring, which alerted the world to the environmental impact of fertilizers and pesticides and has been credited with launching the contemporary environmental movement and awakening the concern of Americans for the environment.
Appointed a junior aquatic biologist with the Bureau of Fisheries and became one of only two women then employed with the Bureau at a professional level (1936).
Testified before a Congressional committee after the federal government ordered a complete review of its pesticide policy. As a direct result, DDT was banned (1963).
The Fish & Wildlife Service named one of its refuges near Carson’s summer home on the coast of Maine as the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge to honor the memory of this extraordinary woman (1969).
Remembered as an early activist who worked to preserve the world for future generations.

Take a selfie with this environmental she-ro, and share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, using the hashtag #FWWDiscover.

GoPhillyGo Goes to the Fairmount Water Works
2017-04-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join GoPhillyGo for a tour of the Fairmount Water Works followed by a happy hour and snacks.
Learn about this award-winning urban environmental education center that dates back to the 19th century and is noted as a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The tour will also include the Mussel Hatchery Exhibition. This event is free, but space is limited. So, registration is recommended.
Following the tour, refreshments will be available (21+ to drink). Vegetarian and vegan friendly.
FWW is located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between historic Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 640 Waterworks Dr. FWW is located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between historic Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 640 Waterworks Dr. Don’t worry about parking! The Fairmount Water Works is easily accessible by public transit, bike and foot. Use GoPhillyGo.org to plan your car-free trip.

Watering Manayunk: Some Parks, a Canal, and a Tank
2017-05-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19127, United States
Watering Manayunk: Some Parks, a Canal, and a Tank
In partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Love Your Park Week, the Fairmount Water Works is offering this special tour!
This special park tour has two parts. Do just the first hour, or both.
We’ll visit the new Venice Island Recreation Center with its green-
roofed stormwater tank, river-themed art, and beautiful spray park. See the intact Lock 69 at the outlet of the Manayunk Canal, which was built in 1819 when Manayunk was barely a settlement, and the towpath linear park.
In the second hour we’ll walk uphill to the new Cynwyd Trail, just opened in 2015 atop the Manayunk Railroad Bridge, for a spectacular view of the canal and river. How did the canal take us almost 200 years later to the need for a stormwater tank? Hear the story from Manayunk resident Sandy Sorlien, a watershed educator and expert in the Schuylkill Navigation system. Optional: stick around for lunch or shopping on Main Street, or view the peregrine falcons of Pretzel Park.
Part I has about a mile of easy walking; add 2 miles round-trip for Part II.
Parking: lot at Venice Island
Train: SEPTA Norristown line to Manayunk Station
This is a FREE tour, but registration is required.

Selfie Sunday: Rachel Carson
2017-05-28 13:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

River Reimagined: A Land and Water Tour
2017-06-01 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-07-13 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-07-27 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-08-10 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-08-24 14:30 - 16:30, 2017-09-07 14:30 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Learn about the Fairmount Water Works, one of Philadelphia’s first tourist attractions, and cruise the Schuylkill for a new perspective on sites along this historic river. After a brief tour of the Fairmount Water Works, stroll through the beautifully landscaped South Garden, and along the Schuylkill Banks for a 1.5 mile walk to the Walnut Street dock to board one of Patriot Harbor Lines‘ boats for a 1-hour narrated cruise.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended for the 1.5-mile walk. Transportation from the Walnut Street dock back to the Fairmount Water Works is available. In the event of inclement weather, we may have to cancel the tour. You will be notified by email if the tour must be cancelled.
Register here.

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Fairmount Water Works
2017-10-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Eye-level with the Schuylkill, you’ll walk the same underground paths as a royal family and Olympic swimmers during a behind-the-scenes look at one of Philadelphia’s first tourist destinations. Hear about this landmark that pioneered engineering, tourism, and environmental awareness in Philadelphia.
This is a hard-hat tour, and may not be accessible for all of our visitors. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.
Registration is free, but space is limited.

The Quiet Circus: River Charrette 4
2017-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | PA
Philadelphia Contemporary and Headlong are revisiting the path of the city’s watershed, urban expansion and cultural heritage. Join a silent Walk into Fairmount Water Works’ hidden, underground natatorium and witness a Performance and post performance Conversation. We will explore the correlations between society and its environment and will rethink topics around diversity, sustainability and consciousness, and you! Register here…
After the conversation, audience members are invited to a gathering with hot drinks, celebrating the fourth River Charrette.

Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2017-11-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Tour the Fairmount Water Works – a National Historic Landmark, Civil Engineering Landmark, and National Mechanical Engineering Landmark – beginning outdoors on the grounds (weather permitting). FWW’s tour guide extraordinaire, Ken Hinde, will then take you inside the Revival buildings for a journey into today’s interpretive center, connecting the Water Works’ past and present purpose.
Attendees also have the opportunity to sit in the intimate Engine House Theater and see an award-winning 15-minute film on the site’s important role in Philadelphia’s history before touring exhibit areas on their own.
Space is limited, so register today.

The Historic Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2017-12-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

Learn a River's Name
2018-01-25 18:00 - 20:00 | The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA, 19128, United States
FWW watershed educator and photographer Sandy Sorlien, will be featured with other local artists during this special exhibit at Schuylkill Center on January 25th!
