Philadelphia Underground: The Surprising Story of the City’s Sewers by Adam Levine

This illustrated lecture, based on more than fifteen years of research, will focus on the drastic changes made in Philadelphia’s landscape since its founding in 1682, in particular the city’s systematic obliteration of hundreds of miles of surface streams. Buried deep underground in pipes as large as twenty feet in diameter, these former streams became main drainage arteries in the city’s 3,000-mile sewer system. These massive alterations to the city’s landscape, undertaken over the course of two centuries, have environmental repercussions that are still being felt today.

Adam Levine has done extensive research since 1998 into the historical topography of Philadelphia, mostly as a consultant to the Philadelphia Water Department. As part of this work, he manages the PWD Historical Collection and maintains an extensive website of watershed and water supply material at phillyh2o.org. Previous work includes working as a freelance journalist and a staff writer for the Gloucester County Times in New Jersey. He also writes about gardening and is the author of many articles and four books, including A Guide to the Great Gardens of the Philadelphia Region (Temple, 2007).

Valley Talks are free and open to the public. Registration is recommended as seating is limited. Complimentary wine and cheese reception offered.

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