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Stewardship in History
Let's Think
Library of Congress photo
Preserving History
| Preservation and stewardship often go hand-in-hand. Fossils found deep underground, monuments of national leaders, or even very old lockhouses: reminders of our history help us appreciate the challenges of our past and make better decisions for our future. A large part of the NPS mission is to preserve the history and cultural resources for this and future generations. |
| Preserving 74 lift locks, 1,191 historic structures, 11 aqueducts, 7 dams, and 673,269 objects and documents at the C&O Canal is a large team effort! NPS professionals like archeologists, geologists, or architects, and others work towards preserving historical structures, artifacts, landscapes, and stories. |
| You can join the movement too! Canal Stewards help preserve history by doing their very best to protect the C&O Canal's resources. Whether it's recreating responsibly near historical structures, volunteering, or even just sharing stories about the remarkable events or everyday observations – you can help preserve C&O Canal history. |
Imagine
Library of Congress photo
Past and Present
| Have you ever seen a baby photo of yourself and think, "That doesn't look like me!" or "I look so different!" The way you look today is significantly different than what you looked like when you were 2 years old. Your family member preserved that memory by taking a photo and probably placing it in a picture frame or photo album. |
| This is a practice that is common for many – keeping items or stories that you want to remember. The trophies that sit high on a shelf, a video of an earlier birthday, or an old picture of your grandparents are examples of how we preserve memories of our past that's important to us. |
NPS Photo
| The NPS staff work very hard to preserve the C&O Canal's past. Conservators, archivists, and historians, for example, help care and manage the reminders of the Canal's history. Whether its decades old photos, historical lockhouses, or the existing ruins of an important building, NPS staff across departments preserve these special events in American history. |
| Imagine a special memory or event from your past. Do you have objects or photos that remind you of that moment? Where do you keep and display these? Why did you choose to remember this moment in time? What do you feel whenever you see them? |
Preservation Challenge
Library of Congress photo
- Preservation helps park researchers understand how humans lived throughout the past 13,000 years along the Potomac River. Take a look at historic places preserved along the C&O Canal and learn about the people that care for these places for generations to come.
- In the activity you will play with interactive photos (Checkout example below) to see places along the C&O Canal then and now. What are some of the differences you noticed right away? How did natural events change this location? How did human development impact these places? What was preserved well?
- Showcase your creativity with the Preservation Challenge! What is a place you want to see for years to come? What makes it special? If you have an unlimited amount of money, what would you do to preserve this place? Click the link below to get started.
→ Get started here
Interactive slider photo feature below. Click and drag middle arrows left and right to see differences of canal locations then and now.
Left image
Great Falls Tavern during the heyday of the Canal.
Credit: NPS Photo
Right image
Great Falls Tavern and Visitor now during this time period (2020).
Credit: NPS Photo
Outdoor Fun
| Get ready for some outdoor fun! There are a plethora of ways to combine your interests of history and the outdoors at the C&O Canal. Complete 1 (or more!) of the outdoor adventures below. Connect with us on our social media accounts using the hashtag #CanalKidsVJR to share your park adventure as you discover the connections of history in stewardship. Begin by clicking one of the activity titles, then follow the links for specific directions. |
► Passport to Your National Parks
Are you an avid stamp collector? See below for a list of passport stamp locations throughout the park. Plan your visit, then get stamped! Click the passport stamp to download and print your digital stamp. Passport stamps will be available in-person as visitor centers re-open. See current park conditions and alerts for the most updated information. Visit the America's National Parks website to learn about the very popular Passport to Your National Parks program, Passport books, and more.
- Great Falls Tavern
- Brunswick Visitor Center
- C&O Canal NHP Headquarters
- Williamsport Visitor Center
- Hancock Visitor Center
- Cumberland Visitor Center
► Towpath Trek EarthCache
Enjoy a historical scavenger hunt with the Towpath Trek EarthCache. EarthCaching allows you to explore the C&O Canal and the Great Falls while protecting the Park and #RecreatingResponsibly. Use your favorite map or GPS app to find the coordinates, take in your surroundings, read the waysides, and enjoy a fun activity exploring!
► Walk the Network to Freedom
The National Park Service preserves and protects powerful places: the physical memory of our nation's history. Locations related to the Underground Railroad are part of the Network to Freedom program. The locations in this program include National Park units and locations with a verifiable connection to the Underground Railroad. Visiting these places, virtually or in person, allows you to form your own connections to the story of the Underground Railroad in America.
- Visit the NPS Network to Freedom website Explore the Underground Railroad
- Use the interactive map or searchable table for locations with connections to the Underground Railroad along the C&O Canal and across the US
- Search Maryland, DC, or WV to see what trails are near you
Learn More
| Can't get enough history in stewardship? We are happy to spark your curiosity! Luckily we have just the resources for you. Checkout the following links to deeper explore how the National Park Service and Department of Interior engage with art and stewardship. |
Get started here ⇒ Children of the Canal
Find out what life was like for children on the C&O Canal back in the day! Where did they live? Where did they learn? What did they do for fun? How were their lives similar or different from yours? Learn about the life of youth that travelled along the C&O Canal during its operation.
Find out what life was like for children on the C&O Canal back in the day! Where did they live? Where did they learn? What did they do for fun? How were their lives similar or different from yours? Learn about the life of youth that travelled along the C&O Canal during its operation.
Get started here ⇒ NPS Story Map: A New Deal for the Canal and the Civilian Conservation Corps
What are your favorite "second chance" stories? The flood of 1924 that closed the C&O Canal and the historic flood of 1936 seemed to doom the canal to complete collapse. Purchased by the U.S. government in 1938, the canal was revived and restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). From 1938 to 1941, these young African American men restored the damaged canal. Their work both in the canal and in the CCC classrooms built a loved National Historical Park and empowered them to develop the qualities of "cooperation, concentration, and dedication."
What are your favorite "second chance" stories? The flood of 1924 that closed the C&O Canal and the historic flood of 1936 seemed to doom the canal to complete collapse. Purchased by the U.S. government in 1938, the canal was revived and restored by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). From 1938 to 1941, these young African American men restored the damaged canal. Their work both in the canal and in the CCC classrooms built a loved National Historical Park and empowered them to develop the qualities of "cooperation, concentration, and dedication."
Get started here ⇒ NPS Museum Centennial
Stagecoaches that carried the first visitors into Yellowstone National Park. Thomas Edison's original recordings. A nearly 40,000 year old fossilized walrus skull. The spoken reminiscences of the Tuskegee Airmen. Handcrafted pottery of the Acoma Pueblo people. National park museums preserve the treasures of our Nation. Throughout the centennial celebration we celebrate the depth and richness of the national park collections. Come back and see what's new!
Stagecoaches that carried the first visitors into Yellowstone National Park. Thomas Edison's original recordings. A nearly 40,000 year old fossilized walrus skull. The spoken reminiscences of the Tuskegee Airmen. Handcrafted pottery of the Acoma Pueblo people. National park museums preserve the treasures of our Nation. Throughout the centennial celebration we celebrate the depth and richness of the national park collections. Come back and see what's new!
Last updated: April 30, 2021