It now houses a restaurant and an interpretive center that explains the waterworks purpose and local watershed history. Starting with the lemon hill estate, the consolidation act of 1854 allowed the city of philadelphia to purchase 9200 acres of land around the fairmount water workswhich, in 1855, would evolve into the fairmount park system of philadelphia, one of the largest municipal parks in the world. Fairmount water works one of the most iconic landmarks of philadelphia, the fairmount water works is a stunning site. While we know a great deal about the systems themselves and how they were developed, smith focuses on transcendent qualities of water befitting its central role in our lives. Account login apply for a pin register for an account outstanding balance print a payment coupon make an electronic payment. Three original coalpowered, steamdriven water pumps are preserved at the museum and are monuments to 19th century technology and innovation. When it rains a lot, the system gets overwhelmed, forcing the water department to send raw sewage into rivers and.
The life and times of philadelphias schuylkill river temple. I give tours at the fairmount water works in philadelphia, so i read this book. It is also an infrastructure of ideas that are a support for the beliefs, values, and aspirations of the people who created the city. On april 1, 1805 frederick graff was appointed superintendent and engineer of the philadelphia water works. City and suburbs in the railroad age historical studies of urban.
Buildings at the fairmount water works, philadelphia. Discussion of back bay by william martin april 1, 2020 10. Like most old cities, philadelphia has a combined sewer systemthat is, one pipe is used to carry both sewage and stormwater. A philadelphia image from an excellent series of views of pennsylvania from a guide book of pennsylvanias scenery, internal improvements, resources, and agriculture, popularly described. This catalogue, which includes thousands of books, pamphlets, photographs. Laurel hill resident frederick graff played a key role in developing philadelphias water system, thereby allowing philadelphia to emerge as a leading source of beer in the 18th century. Featuring our signature cocktail hourandahalf, the main cocktail room is. Designed in 1812 by frederick graff and built between 1812 and 1872, it operated until 1909, winning praise for its design and becoming a popular tourist attraction.
He wrote his brother orion about its lovely park, its marble cupids and fountains, and the reservoir on the hill. In the early part of the century it illustrated the romantic concepts of the era and was celebrated as a prime example of the blending of nature and technology. The treetop quest aerial adventure and the philly pumptrack bike. The fairmount water works occupy a unique position in the iconography of nineteenthcentury philadelphia. Situated on the east bank of the schuylkill river between historic boathouse row and the philadelphia museum of art, the fairmount water works opened its doors in 1815 as the nations first major urban water supply system. Contains views of independence hall 520 chestnut street.
The philadelphia water department has been providing water to citizens since 1801, when, in the aftermath of a series of devastating yellow fever epidemics that killed thousands of people, the city decided a source of water was needed to cleanse the streets, fight fires, and perform household chores. Fairmount water works on the schuylkill river, philadelphia. Kids love smith memorial playground as well as the philadelphia zoo, americas oldest zoo. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. In city water, city life, celebrated historian carl smith explores this concept through an insightful examination of. The pennsylvania center for the book fairmount water works. Philadelphia, known casually as philly, is the largest city in the u. E ighteenyearold mark twain visited philadelphias fairmount waterworks in 1853. Especially notable is the chart, reproduced as appendix c, which gives a oneofakind graphic summary of all this information. It was designated a national historic landmark in 1976 for its architecture and its engineering innovations. Airy and germantown have shaped the history of our current manmade landscape. You may need the following information before you pay online. The citys second municipal works opened in 1815 and stood on the schuylkill just below the later site of the philadelphia museum of art. By then this remarkable engineering feat was forty years old.
This lithograph from circa 1853 shows the proposed design for a standpipe with an ornate spiral staircase, topped by a statue of george washington. Following the closure of the fairmount water works plant in 1909, the site took on new life as home to an aquarium from 1911 to 1962. Fairmount park commission raises funds for restoration address at the interpretive center. The aquarium at the old water works comet flow pussy willows.
On the ground, individuals are shown gazing up at the structure. Federal entity identification number ein or your social security number ssn or philadelphia tax account number and philadelphia department of revenue pin personal identification number. Tour explores history of hidden northwest philadelphia. Soak in the atmosphere of revitalized penns landing, sail past cityscapes, view historic ships, and more on our unforgettable cruises. When it opened in 1815, the fairmount water works was celebrated as an example of american ingenuity, harnessing the power of nature to create and support a modern, healthy, beautiful city. Geohistory resources greater philadelphia geohistory network. The philadelphia aquarium at the fairmount water works. A history of the philadelphia water works philadelphia was the first city since ancient times rome to take on water delivery as a municipal responsibility. Historic landmarks of philadelphia presents such notable attractions as fort mifflin, independence hall, the fairmount water works, the athenaeum of philadelphia, boathouse row, laurel hill cemetery, eastern state penitentiary, the academy of music, the union league of philadelphia, memorial hall, the pennsylvania academy of fine arts, the. Leavitt, worthington, and allis stand in the great engines hall and reach more than 3 stories tall. While a number of private water companies had been established.
Today, the fairmount water works has become the regions premier urban environmental education destination. Morning for firsttime visitors to philadelphia, independence visitor center is an important resource for orientation and itinerary planning before. Fairmount parks famed water works onetime home to the engine room for philadelphias cuttingedge water department is a national historic landmark. As philadelphia grew, so did the need to secure clean sources of water. Apr 08, 2014 having worked for the philadelphia water department, and having been in chage of developing a water education center at its historic fairmount water works, it was gratifying to have the departments historical development put in the larger context of urban development in 19th century america. Philadelphia pennsylvania waterworks documentary history of. In 1909, the water works was decommissioned as the city transitioned to modern sand filtration methods. Bill of fare for anniversary dinner of the committee of fairmount water works, at the united states hotel, philadelphia, april 28, 1851 published.
Proceedings twentyfirst annual meeting, october 18, 19 and 20, 1918, atlantic city, n. Map of the survey of wissahickon creek from its mouth to pauls mill road defining the boundaries of land appropriated by the commissioners of fairmount park for the protection of the purity of the water of said creek and the preservation. This book and bartletts prints were a huge success. How philadelphias water pollution problems shaped the city. Opened in 1815, the fairmount water works was the center of philadelphias water distribution system for nearly a century. In city water, city life, carl smith breathes new life into our understanding of the impact of water supply through his study of philadelphia, boston, and chicago. Buildings at the fairmount water works, philadelphia, pennsylvania. Historical consultant, philadelphia water department.
A city is more than a massing of citizens, a layout of buildings and streets, or an arrangement of political, economic, and social institutions. Jun 03, 2010 while many know philadelphia as the site of the first zoo in the united states, the story of the philadelphia aquarium, once among the largest in the world, is a less wellknown part of the citys history. When it rains a lot, the system gets overwhelmed, forcing the water department to. Morning for firsttime visitors to philadelphia, independence visitor center is an important resource for orientation and. Protecting the regions water quality throughout pwds nearly 200year history. Encyclopedia of greater philadelphia fairmount water works. Stickers for works of african american literature at the free librarys. After the works at fairmount were decommissioned in 1911, the buildings were retrofitted to house first an aquarium, and later a swimming pool.
Or book now at one of our other 8987 great restaurants in philadelphia. Fairmount water works interpretive education center. Elizabeth milroy milroys book comprises a muchneeded synthetic narrative of the early development of philadelphias environment, built and natural, that will appeal to landscape professionals, urbanists, and park enthusiasts alike. Apr 02, 2019 delve into philadelphias history and pivotal role in the founding of the nation, be awed by art collections, enjoy the great outdoors and taste the wide variety of culinary offerings that have made philadelphia an international food destination. Feb 23, 2017 11 essential works of philly literature for black history month prose, poetry and a play to add to your reading list. Water works cescaphe weddings philadelphia wedding. Fairmount water works in philadelphia second municipal. Today, the philadelphia water department pwd provides drinking water. Title fairmount water works on the schuylkill river, philadelphia, pennsylvania contributor names langenheim, frederick, 18091879, photographer.
The water works offers three breathtaking ceremony locations. This turbine was the largest in the works as well as the largest in the country, being 10 feet three inches in diameter and 17. Delve into philadelphias history and pivotal role in the founding of the nation, be awed by art collections, enjoy the great outdoors and taste the wide variety of culinary offerings that have made philadelphia an international food destination. Landmarks like the shofuso japanese house and garden, historic strawberry mansion and fairmount water works create an opportunity to appreciate history amidst the verdant surroundings. The fairmount water works disease and the citys water. Located on the east bank of the schuylkill river, the water works provided clean water for homes and businesses in the city until it ceased operations in 1909. Fairmount parks famed water works onetime home to the engine room for philadelphias cuttingedge water department is a national historic landmark with breathtaking views of boathouse row and the center city skyline from its waterfront location at the foot of the philadelphia museum of art formerly a restaurant and lounge, the water works now serves. Fairmount parks famed water works onetime home to the engine room for philadelphia s cuttingedge water department is a national historic landmark with breathtaking views of boathouse row and the center city skyline from its waterfront location at the foot of the philadelphia museum of art formerly a restaurant and lounge, the water works now serves as an eminently majestic. By lynn miller for more than two centuries, philadelphias fairmount water works provided two vitally important, but different, services to the city. This catalogue, which includes thousands of books, pamphlets, photographs, and other material, spans the 200 year history of water supply and drainage in philadelphia. The fairmount water works in philadelphia, pennsylvania was philadelphia s second municipal waterworks. Experience the vibrant energy and rich history of philadelphia from a unique perspectivefrom the water. It now houses a restaurant and an interpretive center that explains the waterworks purpose and local. Steam works for supplying the city with water were begun in fairmount park.
The place has an amazing architecture and glorious history. The first began when philadelphia s municipal water systemthe first of its kind anywhere in the modern worldwas moved to fairmount and enlarged. Photo, print, drawing buildings at the fairmount water works, philadelphia, pennsylvania, enlarge digital file from original print. We recommend booking fairmount water works interpretive education center tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Souvenir viewbook, probably issued during the centennial exhibition of 1876, containing fifteen captioned views of prominent sites and landmarks in the city. See all 2 fairmount water works interpretive education center tours on tripadvisor. May 11, 2019 fairmount water works interpretive education center. The fairmount water works disease and the citys water supply. To use this service for commercial or residential accounts, you will need the water access. The standpipe was to be erected at thirtyfifth and sycamore streets as part of the twentyfourth ward water works i. While many know philadelphia as the site of the first zoo in the united states, the story of the philadelphia aquarium, once among the largest in the world, is a less wellknown part of the citys history. Annual report of the chief engineer of the water department of the city of philadelphia, presented to councils february 10, 1870. Stand pipe for west philadelphia water works world.
In her new book, devons beth kephart poeticizes philadelphia through the. Having worked for the philadelphia water department, and having been in chage of developing a water education center at its historic fairmount water works, it was gratifying to have the departments historical development put in the larger context of urban development in 19th century america. Drew brown, an environmental engineer and manager of public education programs for the philadelphia water department, and adam levine, historical consultant to the pwd, gave a belowtheground look at how the waters that once flowed through east mt. Water is currently provided by the city of philadelphia water department, which. The fairmount water works in philadelphia, pennsylvania was philadelphias second municipal waterworks. For more than two centuries, philadelphias fairmount water works provided two vitally important, but different, services to the city. Fairmount water works from eli bowens the pictorial sketchbook of pennsylvania. For more than two centuries, philadelphias fairmount water works provided two vitally. Joseph lancaster started the model school of philadelphia, the first normal school in the united states. The first began when philadelphias municipal water systemthe first of its kind anywhere in the modern worldwas moved to fairmount and enlarged. Fairmount parks famed water works onetime home to the engine room for philadelphias cuttingedge water department is a national historic landmark with breathtaking views of boathouse row and the center city skyline from its waterfront location at the foot of the philadelphia museum of art. The address in full is the fairmount water works interpretive center, philadelphia water dept, ara tower at reading center, 1101 market street, 3d floor, philadelphia, pa 19107. Fairmount water works from eli bowens the pictorial sketch book of pennsylvania.
Historic landmarks of philadelphia barra foundation books. Historical collection since the 1990s, staff and volunteers have been cataloguing the collection of historical material held by the archives of the philadelphia water department. In 1815, philadelphia began sourcing its water via the fairmount water works located on the schuylkill river, the nations first major urban water supply system. How philadelphias water pollution problems shaped the. Philadelphia, lets cruise get social on a fun dining cruise, or enjoy the perfect private venue on the water. Schuylkill water works philadelphia digital collections free.
1385 413 1647 1475 328 316 1346 315 850 383 1456 675 360 918 676 1011 666 1546 349 606 1006 769 1105 1400 271 903 377 428 743 319 323 485 993 937