C&O Canal Celebrates African American History Month

Date: February 3, 2016
Contact: Hollie Lynch, 301-491-0149

Hagerstown, MD - During the month of February, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal) will be celebrating African American History Month with public programming, elementary school outreach opportunities and participation in two special partner events in Baltimore.

On Saturday, February 6th at 2:00 p.m. join a ranger-led walking tour at the C&O Canal’s Great Falls Tavern, in Potomac, Maryland. The walking tour will last approximately 1 hour and participants will walk approximately 1 mile, as we explore African American stories and the canal as a byway on the Underground Railroad. The program is free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather forecast, please contact the C&O Canal Great Falls Visitor Center at 301-767-3714 to confirm program details. In addition, a self-guided walking tour featuring African American history on the C&O Canal will make its debut and can be picked up at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The program is free, but there is an entrance fee to the park of $10.00 per single vehicle. The park entrance to Great Falls Tavern is located at the intersection of Falls Rd. and MacArthur Blvd. in Potomac, Maryland.

Special curriculum based education program opportunities will be available in local schools during the month of February. The program, designed for grades 3-5, vary from 30-90 minutes and feature a series of activities and dialogue on the canal as a byway on the Underground Railroad. The program will explore what freedom means and the stories of those escaping enslavement. Maryland Schools who would like to participate for this in-school program can contact the park at e-mail us.  

The park is also collaborating with two regional events that explore the stories of African-Americans in the Chesapeake Region. On Friday, February 5th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., C&O Canal NHP will be participating in the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Black History Month Celebration. The event will be a chance for late-night guests at the aquarium to learn about African American History in the area from local organizations such as C&O Canal NHP and enjoy live jazz music. Admission to the Aquarium for this event will be $19.95 for adults and $12.45 for children ages 3-11 (children under 3 are free). The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located at 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD.

On Saturday, February 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., C&O Canal NHP staff will again be in Baltimore participating in the B&O Railroad Museum’s special event celebrating the birthday of the railroad. The party will feature activities for children and cake for visitors. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the men and women who worked along the B&O Railroad, as well as the significant social issues, such as segregation, that affected the B&O Railroad. C&O Canal NHP staff will be stationed at the event to discuss the rivalry between the canal and the railroad and to present an Underground Railroad activity. Admission to the museum will be $18.00 for adults and $12.00 for children ages 2-12 (children under 2 are free). The B&O Railroad Museum is located at 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD.

For more information concerning park programs and special events please visit our website at www.nps.gov/choh or contact us at e-mail us .