Taking our water

The archaeology of New York City’s watershed communities

Posted 3/16/22

ONLINE — New York City has clean water because it comes from a pure source: our rural mountains. But there is nothing natural about the way that water gets to the city. 

To create the …

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Taking our water

The archaeology of New York City’s watershed communities

Posted

ONLINE — New York City has clean water because it comes from a pure source: our rural mountains. But there is nothing natural about the way that water gets to the city. 

To create the water system, thousands of people lost their homes and businesses, and they sued the city for compensation. 

On Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m., Dr. April Beisaw, associate professor of anthropology at Vassar College, will discuss New York City’s water system and the impact it had on local residents. 

The presentation will be held on Zoom.

Over the last nine years, Beisaw and her students at Vassar College hiked portions of the city-owned watershed to document the ruins.

“In what was left behind,” said Time and the Valleys Museum director Donna Steffens, “researchers can begin to estimate the price that rural people paid for providing clean water to city residents.”

Admission is free of charge to members; for non-members, the cost is $5. 

Registration is required. Email info@timeandthevalleysmuseum.org for a program link, and put Water System Talk in the subject line. You can also call 845/985-7700.  

Time and the Valleys Museum, water system

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