From its beginning in 1815 as the nation's first major urban water supply system to its role today as an environmental education and outreach center, the Fund for the Water Works (FWW) has been an innovator in clean water and environmental health. FWW advances Philadelphia's pioneering initiatives as a global leader in urban water management and sustainable practices, while educating community members about Philadelphia's urban watershed—its past, present, and future. In collaboration with local partners, FWW works to instill an appreciation for the connections between daily life and the natural environment. In 2015, the organization received Center support to create an interpretive, multimedia installation combining science, history, and design for the creation of a 530-square-foot living freshwater mussel enclave. In 2019, FWW received a Center Project grant to present Pool: A Social History of Segregation, featuring an interactive exhibition sited in a former public pool and a new play by Pew Fellow James Ijames examining the history and present-day implications of segregated swimming pools in America.
