Fairmount Water Works, Philadelphia

The Fairmount Water Works, located in Philadelphia, is a significant historical site, originally serving as the city's second municipal waterworks. Designed by Frederick Graff, its construction spanned from 1812 to 1872. Notable for its innovative design and engineering, the Water Works became a celebrated tourist destination, eventually earning the status of a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Situated on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, the facility initially comprised a 3 million US gallons earthen reservoir on Faire Mount, now the site of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a pump house equipped with two steam engines. From 1819 to 1821, a 1,600-foot-long dam was constructed across the Schuylkill, channeling water to a Mill House containing three water wheels, which, in 1822, replaced the steam engines. Later developments saw the introduction of Jonval turbines in both the new and renovated Old Mill Houses to elevate water.

The Water Works, known for its Classical Revival facade, skillfully masked its industrial core, attracting visitors including Charles Dickens, who commended its aesthetic appeal and public utility. However, by 1909, with the emergence of more advanced facilities, the Fairmount Water Works ceased operations.

Today, the site is home to the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC), an educational hub established by the Philadelphia Water Department. The center offers a range of interactive exhibits, lectures, and events, alongside educational programs for schools, emphasizing science and environmental studies. This transformation marks the Water Works not only as a beacon of early American engineering but also as a continuing source of community education and engagement.