Fairmount Water Works

World Heritage Month: Loving Our Landmarks Tour
2026-05-06 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Come experience the story of Philadelphia’s water—past, present, and future. Join us for our Cultural Heritage Tour at one of Philadelphia’s most iconic landmarks. See how the Fairmount Water Works continues to meet the challenges of changing times —from a public health crisis in the 1800s, through the changing climate of the 21st century.
Tour guide Ellen Freedman Schultz, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and Philadelphia Water Department, will show rarely seen “before” images of the late 20th-century rehabilitation of the site and will talk about other water heritage sites throughout the world. All will inspire conversations about the challenges and possibilities for the protection of our significant water heritage sites.
The guided tour will reaffirm that the historic Fairmount Water Works still stands as a beautiful and enduring symbol of the city’s commitment to providing clean public drinking water and across the globe.

Lafayette Historic Tour of Fairmount Water Works
2026-05-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-09-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
The Marquis de Lafayette was 19 when he first came to America in 1777 to fight for its freedom. When he returned in August, 1824 for his farewell tour he was 67. At the end of his tour, in the summer of 1825, Lafayette visited Philadelphia once more, specifically to see the dedication of the Fairmount Water Works with a tour by the watering committee. He referred to it as “the perfect embodiment of the American Government, in which were combined simplicity, power, and economy.”
Join us for a guided interpretation of the 1815 engineering marvel that so impressed Lafayette on his Philadelphia visit. Tours will include excerpts from the extensive writings of both Lafayette and his secretary, Auguste Levasseur, about their experience at the site, that is now designated a Historic Landmark building.
Open to all. Free. Registration preferred.
Open to all, free admission

International Day of Sites & Monuments
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
On Saturday, April 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., join the Fairmount Water Works for a Cultural Heritage Tour.
See how the Fairmount Water Works continues to meet the challenges of changing times — from a public health crisis in the 1800s, through the changing climate of the 21st century.
Ellen Freedman Schultz, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, will present rarely seen “before” images of the site’s late-20th-century rehabilitation. The tour will reaffirm how the historic Fairmount Water Works still stands as a beautiful and enduring symbol of the city’s commitment to providing clean public drinking water.

Dew Drop-In
2026-03-28 10:00 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
All ages are welcome to join us at Dew Drop-In workshops on Saturdays at Fairmount Water Works!
During March’s theme, The Color of Water, we’re exploring what affects the appearance of water, and then using the waterways of Philadelphia as inspiration for watercolor art.
See where your creativity flows on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m!

Landmark Tour
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
One of 67 National Historic Landmarks in the city of Philadelphia, Fairmount Water Works tells the story of the rise of the first successful water supply system in our young nation. From innovative engineering and design to neoclassical architecture, Fairmount Water Works served as one of our nation’s top-visited tourist attraction while supplying the pristine water of the Schuylkill River to our growing city’s population. Join us on Wednesdays at 4pm through March to tour this renowned landmark.

Dew Drop-In
2026-03-21 10:00 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
All ages are welcome to join us at Dew Drop-In workshops on Saturdays at Fairmount Water Works!
During March’s theme, The Color of Water, we’re exploring what affects the appearance of water, and then using the waterways of Philadelphia as inspiration for watercolor art.
See where your creativity flows on March 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m!

11th ANNUAL WALK FOR WATER
2026-03-21 07:30 - 11:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
KSM Annual Run/Walk for Water – 5K
Fairmount Water Works is partnering again this year with Keiyo Soy Ministries (KSM) to offer the 11th Annual Run/Walk for Water for Life. According to UNICEF, 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water. Billions of people around the world are continuing to suffer from poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
KSM’s water project in the Kerion Valley was recently destroyed by landslides due to heavy rains. Race registration fees will support a new drilling operation that will provide water for seven schools.
This year’s Theme for World Water Day is “ Valuing Water”. Let us value water and help thousands of children in Kerion Valley have access to safe drinking water.
Register now: $30. Price increases to $35 after February 16, 2026 at 11:59pm EST. Register early to get a lower rate and T-shirt!
REGISTER NOW
Race Day Details:
Packet Pickup and Race Day Registration opens at 7:30 am
Water Works Building- 640 Waterworks Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Run/Walk Starts at 9 AM
Course Map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2566305
Thank you in advance for joining us.

Loving Our Landmark Tour
2026-03-18 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-11 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-04 16:00 - 17:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130

Aquatic Saturday at Discovery Center
2026-03-07 13:00 - 15:00 | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
We are joining Audubon staff at Discovery Center to take a look at our freshwater mussels that have been growing in the reservoir. We will learn how to measure them for data, and conclude with sampling the water to view and identify our microscopic organisms. We’ll also have materials for optional watercolor painting with lake water.

Dew Drop-In... for fun!
2026-01-31 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Hands-on activities for all ages!
All ages. No registration needed. Just drop in!
FREE

Pop-Up: Wondrous World of Winter Adaptations
2026-01-03 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-27 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Join us for a winter POP-UP!
Learn how cold-blooded residents of the Schuylkill River survive in the winter. Then get creative and design your own aquatic invertebrate to take home!
All ages. No registration needed. Just drop in!
FREE

Holiday - Building Closed
2026-01-01, 2025-12-25 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130

OPEN 10am-1pm
2025-12-31, 2025-12-24 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130

Watering Committee to Water Department: History of Fairmount Water Works
2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Join us for a guided interpretation of the 1815 engineering marvel that is the Fairmount Water Works, a National Historic Landmark. Find answers to questions on how the Water Department over centuries has provided water to the people of Philadelphia. We will explore what has been, and continues to be, a major tourist attraction exciting visitors such as Lafayette, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. We will finish our tour inside viewing our exhibits and ending at our freshwater mussel lab.

Pop-Up: River Crafts and Collaging
2025-11-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Did you know we have an insect in our river that makes its own home from the environment? Collage custom caddisfly cases with found objects from in and around the Schuylkill River.
This is fun for the whole family ! No registration needed. Just drop-in and let your creativity flow! No charge.

Disease, Public Health and Fairmount Water Works Tour
2025-11-08 13:00 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Learn how an epidemic influenced the transition from wells to using the Schuylkill River as a drinking water source for Philadelphia. Throughout the history of the Fairmount Water Works, disease and the interest in public health played a role in how we treat our water and our landscape. Join us as we discuss the diseases, the presumed cures and public health solutions as we explore our outside site, inside exhibits, and our freshwater mussel research lab.

The Green City, Clean Waters Tour of the Fairmount Water Works
2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Philadelphia is spending billions of dollars to direct rain into the ground instead of the river. Join us as we tour examples of green stormwater infrastructure from Lloyd Hall of Boathouse Row to the South Garden of the Fairmount Water Works. Learn about the environmental, economic and social benefits of this 25-year initiative to green our city and redirect stormwater runoff. Our walk will also continue inside the building and include a video of the site’s history, exhibits and a visit to our freshwater mussel lab and hatchery.

Bodies of Water
2025-09-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Bodies of Water
The Naked Stark
Art for Young Audiences, Dance, Immersive & Interactive Experience
Meet The Naked Stark at Fairmount Water Works!
Our 10th annual community gathering offers a glimpse into our process and a sneak peek into our 2026 production. Dive into an exploration of water, time and space celebrating the site’s architecture, and the mosaic of memories in the former Kelly Pool.
Bodies of Water co-creators, Amalia Colón-Nava, Chloe Marie, Harlee Trautman, Katherine Kiefer Stark, Marcie Mamura, and Meredith Stapleton, navigate the interplay of each performers’ relationship to water. We are at once streams flowing together and humans making space for each other, carrying and being carried along, discovering the power and possibilities that emerge when we come together.
This piece is an offering to drift, pause, and plunge into a shared inquiry of place and process; a phase in an ever evolving project. We invite you to enter the current of unfolding together, between the seen and unseen, and the water nearby.
Join us for a performance and reception as we discover mutual buoyancy, find each other in the vastness, dive through turbulence, and surface together.
The event is 1-3pm, featuring three experiences, including a 20 minute performance. The event ends with a reception open to all.
This event is for all ages – meet us at the river!

The Delaware River Festival
2025-09-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Penn’s Landing
The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is excited to be a part the Delaware River Festival!
Enjoy a ride on the RiverLink Ferry between Philadelphia and Camden…
Visit the Independence Seaport Museum…
Spend time on the water at Paddle Penn’s Landing…
Live bird shows…
Get your face painted…
Learn from environmental exhibitors…
Win prizes from the scavenger hunt…
Views of sailboats racing in the Philadelphia Cup Regatta
…and so much more!
More info at www.delawareriverfest.org.

PHILLY FUN FISHING FEST 2025
2025-09-06 07:00 - 11:00 | Schuylkill Banks on the Schuylkill River Trail between Locust and Chestnut Streets, Schuylkill Banks on the Schuylkill River Trail between Locust and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, 19130, United States
Join us on the Schuykill Banks for the annual Fish Fest!
There will be fishing gear for you to borrow and prizes for you to win! Kids and beginners welcome. For more information and to register, click here.

Curator-Led Tour of CONFLUENCE
2025-07-26 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
ART EXHIBIT TOURS
CONFLUENCE: 3rd ANNUAL ART EXHIBIT AT FWWIC
We welcome visitors to register in advance for personal and engaging tours with Thom Duffy, Curator. Visitors will also be greeted by contributing artists. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from artists who are featured in this special exhibition !
Register HERE.
