Repository: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute / Subject: Water-supply engineering / Year: <span class="from" data-blrl-begin="1845">1845</span> to <span class="to" data-blrl-end="1849">1849</span> - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Start Over Repository The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute Subject Water-supply engineering Year 1845 to 1849

Extent:: 2.0 linear feet
Abstract:: Frederick Graff (1775-1847) was a hydraulic engineer best known for designing Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's landmark Fairmount Water Works in the 1810s. He subsequently served as consulting engineer for water works in New York, Boston, and many other cities. After Graff's death in 1847, his son, Frederick Graff, Jr. (1817-1890), took over the role of chief engineer for the Philadelphia Water Department. Frederick Graff maps, technical drawings, and plans on Philadelphia (Pa.) water engineering projects, circa 1683-1875, consist of maps, drawings, and plans related to both the elder and younger Graff's work as water engineers. Most of the materials relate to the Fairmount Water Works, but some pertain to other water engineering projects in Philadelphia.

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

Extent:: 6.33 linear feet
Abstract:: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the first city in the United States to provide water as a public utility and was known for its advances in water distribution technology, such as using a centralized distribution system and employing the use of hydropower for pumps. The Philadelphia Water Department (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) traces its roots to 1799 when the Joint Committee on Supplying the City with Water (known as the Watering Committee) was established by the city council in response to pressure from the city's residents to provide them with clean water for drinking, fire fighting, and cleansing the streets following a series of yellow fever epidemics. The Fairmount Water Works (FWW), Philadelphia's second water works, began operating in 1815 and remained in use until 1909. Regarded as a significant achievement in civil engineering, FWW was also an important Philadelphia landmark and tourist attraction. In the early twenty-first century, Philadelphia operates three water...(see more)

Held at: The Historical and Interpretive Collections of The Franklin Institute [Contact Us]

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