This month's presentation is From Creek to Sewer: An Informal History of Philadelphia's Changing Landscape

As we walk around the city of Philadelphia, few of us think about the hidden world of streams that once meandered across the city. Adam Levine will present a fascinating illustrated lecture that will uncover part of the city’s history that few people ever think about – the drastic changes made in the urban landscape since the city’s founding in 1682. His talk will focus on the systematic obliteration of hundreds of miles of city streams—including Cohocksink Creek, Mill Creek, and Wingohocking Creek. These streams, with watersheds that covered thousands of acres, were wiped off the city’s map. This lecture is guaranteed to reveal a side of urban infrastructure you have never seen, and change the way you think about cities in general.

Adam Levine is the go-to expert on all things water (or sewer) related in Philadelphia. He is the historical consultant to the Philadelphia Water Department and webmaster of the newly-revamped PWD history site, https://waterhistoryphl.org/ (formerly known as PhillyH2o). Besides digging into the city's past, he also enjoys digging in the dirt, and has written hundreds of articles and five books about gardening.

Since its inception in 1984, the Oliver Evans Chapter has promoted interest in the development of industry in Philadelphia and the surrounding region and its impact on people. Our enthusiasms are shared at group meetings and on tours to industrial sites to view manufacturing processes or other aspects of industrial development.

Wednesday, December 13   |   6:00 p.m.   |  Heim Center  Room 131/132