Water Works

Bethlehem was having their Community day today so we headed to the Moravian Industrial Quarter.

This photo was taken inside the Old Waterworks building that is rarely open to the public. Begun in 1754 and enlarged in 1762, the Bethlehem Waterworks is thought to be the first municipal pumping system to provide drinking and washing water in the United States. The system's 18-foot undershot waterwheel (seen here) powered three single acting cast-iron pumps which forced spring water through wood (later lead) pipes 320 feet (94 vertical feet) by a collecting tower, and from there water flowed by gravity to strategically placed cisterns throughout the community. Pretty neat, huh!

Hard to believe, but I am finally caught up on my journal!! Please be sure to see all my back blips ~ starting here!