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Aug 20
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Culverts: A System of Support

By Explore Your Park, History, Landmarks, News

Underlying the 184.5-mile C&O Canal’s towpath, more than 200 culverts were built to pass smaller creeks and streams under the canal and into the Potomac River. These engineering marvels may not be readily seen as we bike and hike the trails, but they are critical for towpath continuity.

“Culverts are the gatekeepers for water to flow safely under [and] through the park,” explains Joe Reed, Chief of Professional Services Division and Supervisory Civil Engineer. “They are ‘silent sentries’ that help to guard the water from damaging the canal infrastructure.”

Historic photo of culvert 51 by National Park Service Read More

Jul 23
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Trust Helps Celebrate the Completion of the Log Wall Stabilization Project

By Explore Your Park, History, News

July 11, 2025, marked the celebration of the completion of the Log Wall, a historic drylaid stone wall, stabilization near the Carderock Recreation Area. This major $11.4M infrastructure project was made possible through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. The stabilization focused on an approximately 1,015 linear foot long historic drylaid stone wall, which varies in height up to 35 feet tall. The wall was originally constructed between 1828 and 1831 and is often referred to as the “Log Wall,” as found in an 1890 Engineer’s Report.

The project began in 2023, following the formation of sinkholes in 2015 and 2016 above the Log Wall. These sinkholes led to the dewatering and sandbagging of the canal to preserve its structural integrity. The resulting damage left a vital section of the towpath at risk of failure, disrupting the park’s continuity and recreational opportunities. Additionally, the sinkholes increased the vulnerability of the Potomac Interceptor Combined Sewer to potential failures. Installed in the 1960s, this sewer system transports approximately 60 million gallons of combined sewage daily beneath the towpath to a treatment facility in Washington, D.C. A failure of the Log Wall could result in a leak or break in the sewer system, potentially releasing 60 million gallons of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River, causing widespread catastrophic damage to the ecosystem and human health.

Photo credit: NPS

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Jul 17
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Restoring the Gold Mine Forest

By MD, Nature, News

As the largest intact Piedmont forest in Maryland, the Gold Mine Tract in the C&O Canal National Historical Park holds special significance for park visitors and regional conservationists. Situated in the highly developed urban area of Potomac, MD, the 600-acre Gold Mine Tract provides unparalleled access to trails and recreational opportunities. This protected forest is also critical for wildlife species that depend on extensive, interconnected habitat to survive. As such vital areas continue to disappear, wildlife populations, including interior forest birds, begin to decline due to unmet habitat needs.

Photo credit: Francis Grant-Suttie

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Jun 27
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Trust Celebrates Cappetta’s 37 Years of Service

By News

C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Tina Cappetta retires from the National Park Service. Photo courtesy of NPS.

In June, the C&O Canal Trust’s Board of Directors and staff gathered to celebrate C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Tina Cappetta’s retirement from the National Park Service after a 37-year career of service.

“After 37 years of working in America’s most treasured places with some of its finest public servants, I’m hanging up my ranger hat for good. I’m ending on a career high – working with the partnership of the C&O Canal Trust and a top-notch park management team led by Ed Wenschhof.”

Cappetta’s tenure as Superintendent of the C&O Canal began in January 2020, following nearly nine years as Superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Hampton National Historic Site, and Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. Over her 37-year National Park Service career, she held positions in 10 parks around the nation, including at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in upstate New York, where she also served as Superintendent. From 2002 to 2004, Cappetta served as Chief of Resources Management at the C&O Canal.
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Jun 16
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Shaping the Future Through Canal Classrooms

By Canal Classrooms, News, Volunteer

On Wednesday mornings, Eddie Rivas wakes up early, putting on his uniform — tan pants and a bright orange polo shirt. He grabs his hat, backpack, and lunch, and is out the door before 9 am. Surprisingly, Eddie is not headed to school; he is on his way to the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Since 2016, Eddie has been a member of the Canal Classrooms Corps, teaching countless students about the park’s canal system, ecology, and natural history.

Photos by NPS and Trust Staff

The Canal Classrooms program, offered since 2013 and supported by the C&O Canal Trust, currently provides experiential learning opportunities to K-12 students in Montgomery, Washington, and Allegany Counties in Maryland. This is accomplished via STEAM-based curricula (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) taught by the Canal Classrooms Corps (CCC), a cadre of retired teachers, local educators, professionals, and volunteers. To date, over 70,000 students have participated in Canal Classrooms, including many who attend Title 1 schools. Read More

May 21
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Williamsport Canal Community Days 2025

By Canal Community Days, News, Volunteer

Williamsport Cushwa Basin by Beth Sherwood.

Situated at the meeting point of the Potomac River and Conococheague Creek, Williamsport holds a significant place in American and C&O Canal history. Before it was a Canal Town, Williamsport was used as a trading location and transportation hub for groups of Indigenous people.  As European settlers moved westward, they too recognized the area’s potential to move goods east and west on the Potomac, and north to what would become Hagerstown. The growing nation developed Williamsport into a center for commerce and trade, first through the C&O Canal and later via railroads and trolleys. It remained a critical juncture for moving people and goods through World War II, when its prosperity began to decline. Aided by the establishment of the C&O Canal National Historical Park and new highway systems, Williamsport now flourishes as a vital C&O Canal Town and a hub for tourism. Read More

May 21
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A Story of Continued Resilience

By Nature, News

The C&O Canal is a testament to American ingenuity and commitment, withstanding flooding, heavy visitor usage, and the test of time. To keep the park safe, beautiful, and welcoming, it has taken the dedication of National Park Service staff, hundreds of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Recently, from May 14 to 16, the park faced a significant flood event that caused damage and debris due to high waters and strong winds. Many picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds were affected, including a section of the towpath that washed out. While it’s disheartening to witness the park’s damage, this flood event is just one of many from which we have and will recover.

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Apr 29
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Nearly 100 Volunteers Make a Difference at Great Falls

By News

Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie

“The list of work that needs to be done is never-ending. We are so grateful for our long-standing partnership with the C&O Canal Trust,” said Amanda Zimmerman.

NPS Park Ranger Amanda Zimmerman was one of the many people who joined us out in the park on April 25 for the C&O Canal Trust’s annual public Canal Community Days volunteer event at Great Falls. Nearly 100 volunteers attended, and despite the cold and rainy day, they made an enormous impact in one of the most popular sections on the 184.5 mile stretch of the C&O Canal towpath. Read More

Apr 28
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Trust President & CEO Reflects on National Park Week

By News

Each spring, during National Park Week, as the buds bloom and the Potomac River stirs with new life, I’m reminded just how fortunate we are to have an incredible national park in our backyards. Once a lifeline for commerce fueling America’s growth, today the C&O Canal is a place of refuge, recreation, and discovery for millions of annual visitors — a landscape shaped by nearly two centuries of stories, and still offering new ones every day.

Volunteers hold bags of garlic mustard
Two children ride their bikes on the towpath
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Feb 26
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Join the William O. Douglas Society

By Historic Figure, News

Photo Credit: NPS

In honor of Judge William O. Douglas, who served as a Justice of the Supreme Court from 1939 – 1975,  known equally as a passionate outdoorsman and as an advocate for conservation of treasured natural spaces, we pause to reflect on the impact of his commitment to the C&O Canal, now known as a C&O Canal National Historical Park, a treasured place for the millions of people each year who enjoy the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the park, making it one of the most heavily visited national parks in the country. Yet, many visitors do not realize that this beautiful strip of land alongside the Potomac River was almost paved over. Read More

Feb 04
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Trust Announces New Strategic Plan

By History, Nature, News

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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Dec 30
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Trust Helps Protect and Preserve C&O Canal as Philanthropic Partner

By Explore Your Park, History, Nature, News
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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Sep 25
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C&O Canal National Historical Park Boosts Economy in Surrounding Canal Communities

By News

Image Credit: Francis Grant-Suttie

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. Read More

Sep 24
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Trust Thanks Donors and Attendees of Park After Dark 2024

By News

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. Read More

Aug 26
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C&O Canal Trust Seeks Support for Canal Classrooms at Park After Dark

By News
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. Read More

Jul 25
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Summer Programming Heats Up in July

By Canal For All, News, Volunteer

The C&O Canal Trust celebrated a very active July with various events focused on stewardship, education, and beautification throughout the entire length of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). We engaged with community groups through our Canal For All program, and we welcomed corporate groups for stewardship projects. This month, the Trust worked with Anheuser Busch, Arc of Washington County, Boys and Girls Club of  Eastern Panhandle, Extreme Bike Camp, Girls Inc., the Landon School, Salesforce, and Timbrook Achievement Center / Teens Inc..

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Jul 18
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Celebrating National Wellness Month

By Canal Quarters, Explore Your Park, Nature, News, Volunteer
This August, celebrate National Wellness Month with us in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP)! National Wellness Month is focused on managing stress and creating routines that foster healthy lifestyles. The C&O Canal NHP offers a great location to explore stress management and healthy activities and routines. With over 184.5 miles to explore, the Park provides visitors with many opportunities to incorporate wellness into their daily and weekly routines.
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Jun 28
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Corporate Stewardship Events are in Full Swing

By News

Photo by Trust Staff

Each year, hundreds of volunteers band together to make a difference in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). As one of the most visited national parks in the country, the C&O Canal NHP welcomes roughly five million people each year. Increasing visitation can significantly strain the Park’s natural and cultural resources. Fortunately, dedicated volunteers through the C&O Canal Trust’s programs and partnerships help to keep the C&O Canal NHP beautiful, safe, and welcoming.
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Apr 30
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Trust Leads Successful Spring Clean-Up Events in April

By News

Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie

Spring has sprung in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP), and with it, the C&O Canal Trust – as the official nonprofit of the Park – has jumped straight into the busiest season of the year. Every spring and summer, as the days get longer and bluebells pop along the towpath seemingly overnight, the C&O Canal Trust begins outdoor programming in various areas of the Park. From Canal Community Days volunteer events to Canal For All service projects to hikes along the towpath, the C&O Canal Trust has had a very active April. Read More

Apr 25
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Celebrating National Preservation Month

By Explore Your Park, History, News, Things to Do
May is National Preservation Month! This month-long celebration of unique and diverse histories and cultures began in 1973 as National Preservation Week. In 2005, National Preservation Week was extended to an entire month, and today, we celebrate the entire month of May. For the C&O Canal Trust, National Preservation Month gives us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of C&O Canal history and how we can continue to expand preservation efforts of historic structures and natural resources found in the Park.
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Dec 21
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C&O Canal Trust Presents Park with $127,500 in Support of Programs

By News

As the philanthropic partner to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP), the C&O Canal Trust works to raise funds for vital Park programs that improve the visitor experience and preserve the historical and natural integrity of the C&O Canal. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and foundations, the Trust presented the Park with a gift of $127,500 in support of three key programs including Canal Classrooms; Rare, Threatened, and Endangered (RTE) Plants; and Towpath Resurfacing. Read More

Oct 30
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Trust Hosts Active Volunteer Service and Educational Programs In October

By News

The C&O Canal Trust welcomed more than 70 individuals to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in October for volunteer service and educational programs.

Kite Pharma volunteers at Weverton with the C&O Canal Trust. Photo by Trust Staff.

Groups with the Washington County Division of Stormwater Management and Kite Pharma worked with the Trust to collectively remove nearly 2,000 pounds of trash from Weverton between mile markers 57 and 59 during two volunteer events. Trust volunteers responded to an immediate need for trash cleanup in the area, providing vital support to the Park and visitors. Along with general trash, the groups removed items like a frying pan, fishing nets, metal folding chairs, and a card table. Volunteers with Shepherd University helped remove over 200 pounds of trash from Lock 38, another busy access point in Washington County. Read More

Sep 29
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National Park Service Focuses on Invasive Plant Management

By News

Photo by Trust Staff

The C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is home to over 1,500 species of plants, including over 260 non-native plant species. The C&O Canal NHP’s Natural Resources staff has made significant progress on the management and removal of invasive species found within the Park throughout 2023. Through a partnership between the Park’s Natural Resources staff and the NPS National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management (IPM) team, treatment planning and work is underway.  Read More

Aug 31
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Don and Liz Harrison to Receive the William O. Douglas Stewardship Award at Park After Dark

By News

Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie

Each year, during the C&O Canal Trust’s Park After Dark gala, the Trust recognizes individuals for their deep commitment to the preservation of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) with the William O. Douglas Stewardship Award. The award is the Trust’s highest honor and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated Justice Douglas’ spirit of stewardship.  Read More

Aug 23
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C&O Canal National Historical Park is an Economic Engine for Surrounding Communities

By News

Image Credit: Jane Schmidt

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 a new National Park Service (NPS) report, 2022 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, nearly 312 million visitors spent $29.3 billion in communities within 60 miles of a national park last year. These expenditures supported a total of 378,400 jobs. The C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) helped lead the economic impact among NPS sites in Maryland, second only to Assateague Island National Seashore in total visitor spending. Read More

Jun 28
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C&O Canal National Historical Park Continues Important Work to Protect Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants

By Nature, News

Student Conservation Association interns planting smooth rock skullcap at a site in the Potomac Gorge area. Photo by C&O Canal NHP/NPS.

The C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP) is focused on the long-term conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) plant species throughout the Park. Its comprehensive strategy to conserve these plants includes identification, monitoring, habitat protection, seed collection, plant propagation, and establishing new populations of RTE species in unique habitat niches in the Park. That strategy has recently come full circle as the first several hundred plants from five species of RTE plants, processed and propagated from collected seeds, have been outplanted into appropriate habitats in the Park. Read More

Jun 27
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C&O Canal NHP Receives Maryland Historical Trust Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design

By News

Photo by C&O Canal NHP/NPS

The C&O Canal NHP was awarded the 2023 Excellence in Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design award from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). The award recognizes the park’s efforts to combat the impacts of flooding with long-term, sustainable solutions along a 0.9-mile stretch between McMahons Mill (mile 88) and Lock 42 (mile 89) in Williamsport, Maryland. The rehabilitated historical retaining wall and towpath ensure future generations will continue to learn and enjoy the C&O Canal in its historical context. Read More

Jun 15
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Trust Partners with Smithsonian Associates for C&O Canal Tour

By History, Landmarks, News, Program

Smithsonian Associates group visits Great Falls in the C&O Canal NHP. Photo by Francis Grant-Suttie

The C&O Canal Trust partnered with Smithsonian Associates to provide a day-long tour of the C&O Canal National Historical Park on June 2. Thirty-six participants braved the heat to explore several parts of the Park, including Great Falls and Rileys Lock. The tour included a guided tour of Lockhouse 22 at Pennyfield. Lockhouse 22 is one of seven rehabilitated lockhouses in the Canal Quarters program, which gives visitors the opportunity to book up to three consecutive nights in a historic lockhouse. Read More

Apr 13
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Support the Park: Sign Up for TowpathGO!

By News

Photo by Paul Graunke

If you love the C&O Canal National Historical Park and enjoy recreating in the Park, we’ve got a great way for you to combine your passions and support the Park! Sign up for TowpathGO and rally support from your friends and family for this unique peer-to-peer fundraising challenge. Join us for this year’s TowpathGO!

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Jan 26
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Annual Artwork Contest Seeks Logo for 2025 Canal Community Days

By Canal Community Days, News
The C&O Canal Trust is conducting its annual t-shirt artwork contest to find a logo representing our 2025 Canal Community Days events. Artists are invited to create and submit artwork celebrating these annual volunteer events, bringing community members together to beautify the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP).  The winning design will be printed on our Canal Community Days t-shirts and worn by volunteers as they work along the C&O Canal throughout the spring and summer. Read More

Jan 19
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C&O Canal Trust Board of Directors Names Lauren Riviello as New President and CEO

By News, Uncategorized

Lauren Riviello by Trust Staff

Williamsport, Md. – The C&O Canal Trust’s board of directors is pleased to announce it has named Lauren Riviello as its new president and CEO. Riviello has more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience and is deeply passionate about the Trust and its mission. She has served as the Trust’s director of development since February 2021 and will assume the role of president and CEO on April 1, 2023. Read More

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