Lock 15, C&O Canal (image © Roy Sewall)
C&O Canal in Autumn (image © Roy Sewall)
Kayakers on the C&O Canal (image © Roy Sewall)
it obviously provides a remarkable glimpse into the history of the canal era and westward expansion, it is equally valuable, though far less appreciated, as a repository of the history of prehistoric and Native American settlement, the Civil War and slavery, immigration, industrial development, the New Deal, and the conservation movement. All are stories waiting to be told. The C&O Canal Trust marshals the resources of the community—its energy, expertise, and economic might—to the task of protecting the
Park for future generations to enjoy. Through a combination of fundraising, volunteerism, community outreach and education, and handson restoration, the C&O Canal Trust is working to ensure a bright future for the Park. The Trust believes that the future of the C&O Canal is going to be determined by the community of people who depend on the park for their wellbeing and quality of life. We all have an obligation to ensure that the C&O Canal’s special qualities are available for future generations to enjoy. As
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, whose famous hike of the canal in 1954 with editors of the Washington Post helped lead to the establishment of the national park in 1971, said of the C&O, “Our great grandchildren will bless us if we keep it this way.” The Trust’s success demonstrates that by working together, we can be successful.
www.CanalTrust.org Best of DC
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