Saving Our History

The C&O Canal is considered to be the best-preserved 19th century canal in the United States. The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps originally restored the first 22 miles of the canal in the 1930's. Since becoming a national historical park in 1971, the NPS has worked to protect and preserve over 1000 original structures along the canal. Major restoration work is taking place at several locations including the Conococheague and Monocacy Aqueducts and the Widewater area. C&O Canal National Historical Park also develops partnerships with individuals and organizations interested in helping to rehabilitate some of its historic structures, according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.