The C&O Canal Trust was founded in 2007 as the official nonprofit philanthropic partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, working in close partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). The Trust serves as a bridge between the NPS and a vibrant community of individuals and partners who raise funds to preserve the C&O Canal, supporting programs that highlight the park’s historical, natural, and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities. For nearly 20 years, through the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners, the Trust has been instrumental in supporting conservation projects, infrastructure improvements, education programs, and visitor resources throughout the park. We are thrilled to share our ambitious new Strategic Plan that will guide our work for the next four years, culminating with the 200th anniversary of the C&O Canal’s beginning. This plan is built on four pillars that will strengthen our programs and expand our impact.
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Philanthropic partnerships play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and vitality of our national parks. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) National Historical Park is a nationally significant landmark that enriches the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the surrounding region. This continuous 184.5-mile park serves as a vital cultural, historical, and natural resource for millions of visitors and local residents each year. For all of us who love the C&O Canal, it is more than just a park – it is a living testament to our nation’s history and a sanctuary of natural beauty that deserves our collective stewardship.

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National parks have long been revered for their natural beauty and historical significance, but they are also a vital part of our nation’s economy and help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry. According to the National Park Service’s 2023 Visitor Spending Effects Report, 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs. (more…)

What an exciting Saturday night at the historic Great Falls Tavern as members of the C&O Canal Communities from Alleghany County, Maryland to Georgetown, in Washington, D.C., gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the C&O Canal Trust over the past year and identify opportunities for growing their support for the Trust and the National Park Service in the coming year. (more…)

Since 2013, the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) has engaged thousands of K-12 students through Canal Classrooms, an experiential education program in hotspot areas of the Park including Great Falls, Williamsport, and Cumberland. Led by a committed group of retired educators known as the Canal Classroom Corps (CCC), the program is built on STEAM-based curricula (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). To date, nearly 70,000 students have participated in Canal Classrooms, including many who are economically disadvantaged and attend Title 1 schools. (more…)