Current research in our group traces the development of three related chemistry-intensive industries at Newtown Creek during the second half of the 19th century. Newtown Creek, located two miles from this college's campus, was one of the country's early centers for production and export of fuels and materials. Three technologically- and economically- significant chemical processes flourished there: sulfuric acid production, electrolytic refining of metals, and the refining of petroleum. The history discovered through our research work provides context for in-class discussions that (1) identify the scale and significance of these fundamental chemical industries, (2) introduce the notion of a relationship among chemistry, business, and society, and (3) present the reality of environmental legacy and the economic and social importance of environmental remediation.

New York City's Newtown Creek: Using place to build understanding of chemistry and citizenship

248th National Meeting (2014)

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