Subjects Plumbing

Indoor plumbing in mid-19th century Philadelphia

Drainage and Sewerage Report, 1853

Down Under!

Receipt from privy cleaning by the Frankford Odorless Excavating Company, 1885

Privy Cleaning Receipt, 1885

Typical House Drainage, Combined and Separate Systems (2008.001.0032)

Typical house drainage

A list of rules governing the sanitary maintenance of privy vaults in Philadelphia in 1915

Privy Regulations

Black-and-white photo of privies, waterless wells used to collect human waste

Privies, Emerald Street, 1919

A list of rules governing the sanitary maintenance of privy vaults in Philadelphia in 1915

Be Thankful You Don’t Live in Pre-Flush Philly