Statement of Significance (as of designation - May 11, 1976):
The Fairmount Water Works, located on the east bank of the Schuylkill River at the head of navigable waters, used innovative methods for pumping water and was an integral part of the initial five acres of Fairmount Park. Designed by Frederick Graff and ornamented with the sculpture of William Rush, these early to mid-19th century waterworks consist of a dam, a Greek Revival Pavilion, two mill house structures, an Engine House and pump room, and other historic structures.

Condition:
The Fairmount Park Commission with the assistance of The Fund for the Water Works (The Fund), a 501(c)(3), received state and local funding and a major grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts for the restoration of the structures, decks and balustrade, as well as other site and structure improvements. The William Penn Foundation contributed to an endowment to be used for future maintenance at the site. The Fairmount Park Commission is completing the RFP process to identify an operator for the restaurant to be located in the Engine House. The Fairmount Waterworks Interpretive Center opened last year at the complex.

In 2007, the lanmark won the Grand Jury Award Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for the Fairmount Water Works South Garden and Cliff Path (Phase I). In 2008, the Water Works won a Community Action Awards from the Junior League of Philadelphia and the Women.