Mother Nature, Bioswale, Step Pools, and Pennsylvania Bluestone

Stormwater management and purification features were built into Woodmere's landscape to help control the water that falls on our parking surfaces, driveway, and roofs. A sand pit gathers rainwater and allows it to percolate slowly into the earth. A winding bioswale (a ditch planted with grasses) directs the flow of water and nurtures microorganisms that filter car runoff. And step pools made with Pennsylvania bluestone serve as a series of dams where water collects and is sucked down into the soil below. 

Stone is a natural resource at the heart of Pennsylvania’s economy. We are a region of quarries that continue to feed the growth of cities across America. Take some time to notice the beautiful surfaces of the bluestone, which was mined less than fifteen miles from Woodmere. Bluestone is a kind of sedimentary rock that formed over millions of years as layers of minerals and sand deposits from ancient rivers were compressed under the weight of the earth. Impressions of plants and fibers remain visible on some of the stones, and different colors result from the different combinations of minerals. 

If you are on-site at Woodmere Art Museum and are looking for an immersive and interactive experience, click here to view the WOW Interactive Map.