History and Culture Online Activities

 

Historic image of a family of canallers holding hands while on a canal boat.

NPS Photo

Children on 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.

 

Young park visitors meeting the mules and interpretive Canaller.

NPS Photo

Mules and the Canal

Mules were the engine of the canal boat, pulling a 140-ton boat eight hours a day, seven days a week. The type of cargo consisted of large amounts of coal, cement, lumber, wheat and other household items and groceries. To learn more about these strong, powerful animals, visit Mules and the Canal.

 

Ranger and two kids holding artifacts in the NPS Archeology Program.

NPS Photo

Archeology for Kids

Do you like to dig in the dirt? Find things that are lost? Put pieces together? Figure out stories from clues? Learn about the past? These are all things archeologists do—maybe you're one, too! Archeology is tons of dirt-digging, story-telling, mystery-solving fun. Like you, many archeologists caught the archeology bug as kids. Head over to the National Park Service Archeology for Kids page for more info!

 

Park Ranger holding a book.

NPS photo

Book List by the C&O Canal Trust

The C&O Canal Trust has curated a wonderful list for every bookworm and history buff. Find a grassy spot at the Canal or at home and enjoy a new book!

 

NPS Infographic / Matt Turner

The American Bison: A National Symbol

The American bison, popularly (and mistakenly) referred to as “the buffalo,” is one of America’s most recognizable symbols. In this exhibit, explore the bison though museum objects across many different disciplines including art, archaeology, natural history, and history in the collections of the Department of Interior (DOI) bureaus and offices. As you click through this interactive exhibit, learn how the conservation of bison made American history.

 

Entrance to Department of the Interior Museum.

NPS Photo

Interior Museum Digital Exhibitions

• Portrait of an Agency: Secretarial Portraits at the U.S. Department of the Interior
  View the museum's collection of more than 50 official secretarial portraits and learn about the men and women who have served as secretaries of the Interior since 1849.
• Stories in Miniature: The U.S. Department of the Interior Museum's Dioramas
  Explore the 13 iconic dioramas specifically created for the Interior Museum between 1935 and 1945 to illustrate aspects of the Department of the Interior's mission.

 

Students viewing a museum exhibit.

NPS Photo

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!

• Virtual Exhibits for All Parks
• Ask the Conservator
• Treasures of the Nation

 

Canal Exhibit in Great Falls Park visitor center. There are four figures present; the highlighted figure to the far right is a depiction of the man who was known as Captain George Pointer.

NPS Photo / Ahmad Toure

Captain George Pointer

George Pointer was an important figure to the C&O Canal as one of the first workers for the Patowmack Canal Company. George Pointer was an obscure citizen, but he accomplished great achievements during his time. Learn about his legacy through a unique craft activity, a new Junior Ranger activity, and historical articles.

• Feather Pen Craft Activity
• Great Falls Park Virtual Junior Ranger Activity

 

NPS Infographic

Virtual Visits to National Parks

The National Park Foundation highlights the various virtual visits across the United States. After you enjoy a trip to the C&O Canal, explore other National Parks online. Learn about ancient architecture, historic sites, diverse ecosystems, National monuments, and so much more right at your fingertips! Enjoy stunning pictures, interactive tours, and videos with Virtual Visits to a National Park.