Fairmount Water Works

Sunday Selfie: Rachel Carson
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, 2017-06-04 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-06-11 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-06-18 13:00 - 17:00, 2017-06-25 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

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!

Choose Your Own Adventure
2018-03-01 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
Do you ever look back at key moments in history and think, “I would’ve made a better choice”? We’ll test that assumption using a real-world scenario with local roots.
Philadelphia, 1896: Typhoid fever has been running rampant in the city. The last few decades have seen nearly 16,000 deaths from the terrible disease. Health professionals say polluted water is to blame, but anticontagionists contend the water is pure and safe.
Add to that the manufacturing industries that have brought about a near environmental catastrophe by draining their waste into Philadelphia’s waterways, and you have everything you need for a lively debate about how to make the city’s water safe. But what’s the best solution? Should the city build an expensive filtration plant or invest in a more cost-effective aqueduct system?
Join the Chemical Heritage Foundation for an after-hours gaming adventure where you’ll get to step into someone else’s shoes, and—using your wits, luck, and all the best information available to you at that moment in history—see where your choices land you!
Afterward, toast to your success (or failure), and learn more about the history of Philadelphia’s waterways with representatives from the Fairmount Water Works.
Tickets for this event are $10 per person, and registration is required.
For more information about this event, contact Alexis Pedrick at 215.873.8293 or apedrick@sciencehistory.org.
This program is presented in partnership with the Fairmount Water Works, as part of the upcoming Grid and Flow exhibition.

The Historic Fairmount Water Works: Inside & Out
2018-03-08 16:00 - 17:00, 2018-03-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2018-04-22 14:00 - 14:30 | 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.
Be sure to register for this free tour today… space is limited.

"Make & Take" w/ Greensgrow Farms
2018-03-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Inspired by the lush gardens and water exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show? Bring the magic home! Visit the Fairmount Water Works for a hands-on workshop, where you can make your very own wildflower seed balls, led by Greensgrow Farms. These urban agricultural specialists will walk you through the process of making and planting these seed balls in your own neighborhood! Hosted by the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. Registration is free, but a $5 donation is suggested. Space is limited, so sign up today!

"Make & Take" with Greensgrow Farms
2018-03-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

A Walk Along the Parkway Tour
2018-04-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Philadelphia’s Parkway references the most beautiful cities of Old Europe. Discover the magnificent buildings along Philadelphia’s own Champs-Élysées and what lies beneath them.
Start at the Fairmount Water Works, where wheels once pumped the City’s drinking water, then embark on a mile-long stroll down the picturesque path to Logan Square and back again. Ideal for history buffs, cultural connoisseurs and architectural mavens.
PLEASE NOTE: Comfortable shoes strongly encouraged for this walking tour. Registrants will be contacted in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather.

A Walk Along the Parkway
2018-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States

Art in the Open 2018
2018-05-18 08:00 - 2018-05-20 17:00 | PA
Art in the Open (AiO) is a biennial citywide event that celebrates artists, their inspirations for creating art, and their relationships with the urban environment. Art in the Open debuted in June 2010, bringing a jury-selected group of artists to the Schuylkill Banks – from the historic Fairmount Water Works to South Street – to inspire new ways of seeing the river and the city it runs through. Every other year, a new group of artists is chosen for a three day event, creating new works of art outside, in a creative process open to everyone.
The public is encouraged to participate in Art in the Open by visiting often during the three-day event, to see the works of art evolve and talk with the artists about their creative process. By actively engaging with AiO, you become part of that process – shifting ideas of the art audience, and as part of the environment the artists are considering, influencing how the art take shape. Artists’ working times will vary with their project’s particular needs; most activity takes place between 9 am and 5 pm.
Partnering civic and cultural organizations throughout Philadelphia also offer extensive opportunities for public engagement with the event, showcasing the vibrant community of working artists, galleries and institutions that make Philadelphia a major Urban Art Center, and its two rivers: waterways which continue to inspire creative response and also serve as an ecologically critical lifeline for its residents.
