SOW Bus Trip-Pool The Exhibit

Join the Senior Optimal Wellness Group for a trip to the Pool Exhibit.  Parking is available in the Nile parking lot. Please arrive no later than 9:45 to board the bus.

WHAT

“Pool: A Social History of Segregation” (POOL) is a 4,700 square foot museum exhibition that investigates the nation’s handling of race as it relates to public pools.

• Visitors will be immersed in a curated collection of art installations and experiences, including rarely seen archival
• film footage and photographs.
• Voices of swimming and social justice icons contribute to an enlightening and inspirational experience.

WHERE

• The Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
• Limited free parking is available on Water Works Drive. Paid parking is available in the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• (PMA) parking areas. Public transportation to the PMA will get you near the Water Works

 INFO

• For more than 200 years, the Fairmount Water Works has told the story of our connection with water. Located on historic Boat House Row, it operated as a pumping station from 1815 to 1909, an aquarium from 1911 to 1962, as the Kelly Pool until 1972, and today serves as the Philadelphia Water Department’s public education destination, housing an award-winning urban environmental education center.
• Major support for POOL has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the Philadelphia Water Department. Much of the historical content was researched and referenced by Dr. Jeff Wiltse, author of Contested Waters: the History of Racial Discrimination in Swimming. We would also like to thank leadership of the Fund for the Fairmount Water Works and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation for their ongoing support for this project.
• Info on directions, parking, and transit can be found here.

STATEMENT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“This project is a natural extension of our mission to educate the public about the important role of water in our daily lives. With the goal of deepening understanding of the connection between water, social justice and public health, visitors to POOL can contribute to the conversation.” Karen Young, Executive Director, Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center.

NATIONAL STATISTICS

Racial discrimination at swimming pools, coupled with a general shift of funds away from public pools, has had a significant and lasting impact on Black communities.