The Global Network of Water Museums is a flagship initiative endorsed by the Council of UNESCO-IHP (Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme)

Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center

Philadelphia, USA

Since 2003, The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center serves as the region’s hub of innovative water and watershed education programming. Significant for its early 19th century neo-classical design and innovative engineering in public water systems. It was originally built as a drinking water pumping station and has been designated a National Historic Engineering Landmark.

The mission of The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC) is the education and outreach arm of the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD).  At the core of its education is understanding Philadelphia’s urban watershed – its past, present, and future. We collaborate with many partners to instill an appreciation for the connections between daily life and the natural environment.

Our programs provide all ages with content about water management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems, and innovative programs, policies and research in green infrastructure and freshwater mussels as well as source water protection.  

People of all ages and backgrounds freely learn about the region’s urban watershed ecosystem, sustainable technologies that improve water quality and how to take action to protect land and water resources. Since opening in 2003, FWWIC has become a hub for STEAM and environmental education, scientific research, and community engagement. It is uniquely positioned to serve teachers and schools equitably throughout Philadelphia’s urban watershed, connecting each school with locally relevant watershed projects in and around their neighborhoods.

Our core values are:

  • We care about Clean Water for all living things. 
  • We take a Personal Approach to guide visitors in thoughtful exploration 
  • We believe that Collaboration is the way
  • We provide Experiential Learning that engages all visitors 
  • We value the History that has shaped our lives
  • We care about Our People

Projects

Field trip and outreach programs for K-12 Students [EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY]

Themed lessons titled:

  • Wondrous World of Water
  • We Drink the River
  • Taking Nature’s Lead
  • Mussels in the Field

These are a 2-hour site-specific field trip visit to the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and classroom and online presentations related to freshwater mussel research, water and wastewater treatment plant processes and the history of Philadelphia’s water supply system.  

Understanding the Urban Watershed” Curriculum Project [EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY]

A sequence of learning experiences for 4th-9th grade instruction for sustained learning about water systems and the watershed for in-classroom instruction, that include investigations the  schoolyard as well as the  local community and nearby waterways as context.

The Watershed is an Open Book Family Program [EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY]

Hands-on family literacy program for 5-8 year olds and their caregivers with monthly workshops to help build reading readiness and environmental literacy exploring the natural and built environment.  Books and fun activities experienced together promote joy, rich conversation, inquiry, experimentation and discovery about water.

Demonstration Freshwater Mussel Hatchery [RESEARCH ACTIVITY]

One of the highlights of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is a demonstration Mussel Hatchery and exhibition. The Hatchery in particular is a living, working aquatic science laboratory that allows visitors to learn firsthand about the life and times of a freshwater mussel and how cleaner river water depends on this most imperiled aquatic animal in North America. Scientists from the Philadelphia Water Department, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University work inside our laboratory on current research that will help inform future decisions about wide-scale use of mussels throughout our watershed and beyond. The goal of this work is to find new ways to improve the health of our watershed through the support of ecosystems that clean our rivers and streams naturally. 

The Floating Water Workshop [OTHER ACTIVITIES]

As a component of its quest to provide transformative, experiential education, the FWWIC and Fund have created the The Floating Water Workshop: A Classroom on the River, which will soon become a vital addition to the region’s public recreational, educational, and environmental communities. This state-of-the-art learning center seeks to create an environment where the theories of watershed innovation are supported, built and experienced.
Once aboard The Floating Water Workshop (FWW), visitors will gain extraordinary opportunities to research source water issues that are related to public health and drinking water, and its direct connection to the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Through dynamic water play and citizen science experiences, visitors of all ages will explore some of the City’s most crucial source water concerns, including vital lessons on: Stormwater and agriculture runoff; accidental ocean and river spills; improper disposal of trash and waste; geese and wildlife pollution; sewage systems; forest clearing and land development. 

Gallery

Contemporary view of the Fairmount Water Works looking southeast with the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Philadelphia skyline as backdrop
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. (Mark B. Thompson Associates, PC)
Demonstration Mussel Hatchery and Exhibit. Adaptively reusing the landmark site for groundbreaking freshwater mussel research and public education (Photo by GreenTreks, Courtesy of Habithèque Inc.)
Demonstration Mussel Hatchery. Aquatic Scientist in the lab (Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center )
Demonstration Mussel Hatchery and Exhibit. An example of education programming showing the guided student field trip experience in the mussel hatchery. (Photo by GreenTreks, Courtesy of Habithèque Inc.)
Historic Site Tour (Photo by Andrea McClenon)
Students Sifting for microplastics in the water (Photo by Andrea McClenon)
Reactivation of Former Kelly Pool for Groundbreaking exhibit POOL: A Social History of Segregation. (Photo by GreenTreks, Courtesy of Habithèque Inc.)
Watershed is an Open Book Family Literacy Program. (Photo by Andrea McClenon)
Forebay Race Bridge with assorted people. The Water Works became  a center of leisure activity, where people flocked to see and be seen. (Drawn and engraved by Fenderich & Wild. Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection)
Water wheels interior. (Watercolor by David Johnston Kennedy. Historical Society of Pennsylvania)
Fairmount Water Works, 1875 circa (This drawing shows the completion of the new mill house, located at the far left, completed in 1862)
Architect's rendering of the planned Interpretive Center. (Mark B. Thompson Associates, PC)
The 1815 Engine House prior to renovation after fire damage (Mark B. Thompson Associates, PC)
Interior, Engine House prior to renovation. (Mark B. Thompson Associates, PC)
Fairmount Water Works become an Interpretive Center. (Mark B. Thompson Associates, PC)