August 6 | 6:30pm | 213 Water Street | Free
Dive into the history and future of New York City’s public pools with the South Street Seaport Museum and + POOL’s Program Director—and proud public pool superfan—Nora Cronin. This lively, interactive presentation will be all about the role of pools in city life.
From floating bathhouses to pools of the Works Progress Administration to the dream of swimmable cities, we’ll explore how public pools have made waves socially, politically, and culturally across New York and beyond.
Bring your curiosity and your questions. This fun and engaging event is all about making a splash—no goggles required. A reception will follow the presentation.
About the Speaker
Nora Cronin is a swimmer, lawyer, educator, advocate for public spaces, and Program Director at Friends of + POOL, where she oversees the implementation and execution of all programs, including free and low-cost swimming lessons for children and adults, water stewardship initiatives, and STEM education opportunities. Nora is also a proud member of Team New York Aquatics, a masters swim team founded and led by members of the LGBTQ community, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she keeps up with her lawyerly life by teaching courses on Landmark Supreme Court Cases and Social Movements.
About + Pool
+ POOL reclaims New York’s natural resources by opening our waters. What began as an idea for a water-filtering floating swimming pool, conceived by a small group of designers, has since launched a movement to restore the utility of our waterways. + POOL supports the preservation, restoration and conservation of natural bodies of water; promotes water stewardship; and provides quality swim instruction and environmental education for New Yorkers. It enables people to care for and co-exist with nature, and work towards a future where everyone has the ability to enjoy the water that surrounds them.
Enjoy More That the Museum Offers
Access to the historic ships and exhibition galleries at the Seaport Museum is not included with this event. If you would like to explore more that the Museum has to offer, book in advance or ask Museum staff about admission tickets, available Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 5pm when you check in.
Museum admission tickets grant access to the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and 1908 lightship Ambrose at Pier 16 as well as all current exhibitions on view in the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row located at 12 Fulton Street.
Admission tickets also include entry to the new Maritime City exhibition in A.A. Thomson & Co. located at 213 Water Street.
Ready for more?
Head over to our Programs and Events page to see what else is happening at the Museum. Sign up for an upcoming talk, learn more about visiting Wavertree, or explore our virtual offerings.