New Philadelphia exhibit details role of city’s pools in segregated times

Now the ability is taking over a brand new function involving water because the host web site of a brand new exhibit known as ‘Pool’ detailing the historical past of segregation in swimming pools and the individuals who broke each boundaries and stereotypes.

“I believe it took an entire genius to make the mix to tie collectively water, with swimming pools and the significance of desegregation,” mentioned CEO Randy Hayman of the Philadelphia Water Division.

Whereas the pool at Fairmount Waterworks was built-in, many others had been segregated for many years, each domestically and nationally.

“Black and brown communities have been excluded purposefully,” mentioned Victoria Prizzia who’s the creator of “Pool.”

She needed to take a deep dive into that historical past.

“This sense of urgency desirous to carry consciousness round this story,” mentioned Prizzia of what she felt after studying a ebook that uncovered her to the historical past of discrimination and segregation in public swimming pools.

She labored for years to create the exhibit, which was as a consequence of open in September of 2021 however was flooded out by Hurricane Ida.

Now restored, the exhibit is open to the general public and combines artwork, historical past, and storytelling detailing the experiences of people that witnessed the troubled waters of segregated swimming pools.

“There have been swimming pools my mother and father could not swim in,” mentioned legendary swim coach Jim Ellis, who famously impressed the film “Pleasure” starring Terrance Howard.

The film particulars Ellis’ profitable efforts to revive a West Philadelphia pool and create the Philadelphia Division of Recreation’s swim workforce.

“I believe this brings about consciousness to the place we must be with swimming in our group,” mentioned Ellis of the exhibit.

Pool shows a historical past that is deeper than water. It is a story of social justice, as made evident by a number of the images on show.

One exhibits an African American man exterior a Kentucky pool. His shirt is soaked with blood after a mob of offended white residents beat him for making an attempt to entry the pool.

One other picture exhibits a motel proprietor pouring acid right into a pool as an interracial couple swam in it.

The exhibit additionally particulars the historical past of skillful swimming in Africa and honors African American swimmers who’ve achieved Olympic greatness and damaged stereotypes.

“We too, as African People, we are able to be taught to swim,” mentioned Hayman.

The lasting influence of being denied entry to many swimming pools for many years can be a part of the lesson within the exhibit.

“when you’re born Black on this nation, you are six instances extra more likely to drown than when you’re born white,” mentioned Prizzia.

It is a statistic that Nile Swim Membership in Yeadon is altering. Because the oldest African-American-owned swim membership within the nation, they’ve made it a mission to show kids find out how to swim.

Nile Swim Membership is featured within the exhibit.

“I am excited! I am glad,” mentioned Andre Andrews, aquatics director at Nile Swim Membership.

He’s one in every of many individuals excited in regards to the exhibit, which brings an essential a part of historical past to the floor.

“This pool exhibit is so optimistic,” mentioned Hayman. “I believe you possibly can take it to springboard a youngster’s thoughts to grow to be something.”

“Pool: A Social Historical past of Segregation” is open at Fairmount Water Works on Wednesdays by way of Fridays from 11 a.m. to five p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to five p.m.

The exhibit will stay open till late September.

It’s going to reopen subsequent spring, remaining at Fairmount Water Works for greater than a 12 months.