Fairmount Water Works

The Green City, Clean Waters Tour of the Fairmount Water Works
2025-10-11 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Pop-Up: Wondrous World of Winter Adaptations
2025-12-26 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-27 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-03 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

Dew Drop-In... for fun!
2026-01-24 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-31 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

Loving Our Landmark Tour
2026-03-04 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-11 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-18 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.

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.

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.

Landmark Tour
2026-03-25 16:00 - 17:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130

THE RIGHTS & WAYS OF WATER: 4th Annual Special Fine Art Exhibition Preview Reception
2026-05-14 16:30 - 18:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
PLEASE JOIN US!
PREVIEW RECEPTION
Thursday, May 14th, 2026
4:30PM-6:30 PM

Save the Date
Details to come

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