C and O Canal Announces Cumberland Heritage Days Programs

Date: June 5, 2015
Contact: Rita Knox, 301-722-8226

Cumberland, Md. - The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP) will celebrate the 47^th Annual Heritage Days Festival in Cumberland with several events at Canal Place on Saturday, June 13, 2015

At 11:00 am, a brief ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on the boardwalk on Canal Place Grounds to mark the re-opening of "The Cumberland" after the completion of repair and restoration work on the replica canal boat.C&O Canal NHP Superintendent Kevin Brandt, Canal Place Authority Executive Director Deidra L. Ritchie, William Bauman from the C &O Canal Association, and John Millar, one of the boat's original designers and builders, will participate. This 40-year old Cumberland landmark was restored by the C&O Canal Association and grant through the National Park Service and The Outdoor Foundation.The boat will be open for tours after the ceremony until 4 pm.

At 1:00 pm, Dr. Karen Gray will present "Cumberland Canal Terminus in Pictures and Maps" in the C&O Canal Cumberland Canal Classroom at 10 Howard Street on the Canal Place Grounds. Dr. Gray's presentation includes maps and photographs of the canal and the Cumberland terminus from the 19th century into the 1930s. Details of special interest are noted and questions will be answered during the presentation.Dr. Gray has been studying the canal and volunteering for the park for forty years.

At 2:00 pm, James Rada, Jr. will present the "Kidnapping of the Generals" in the C&O Canal Cumberland Canal Classroom at 10 Howard Street on the Canal Place Grounds. This most unusual event took place in downtown Cumberland and involved the capture of two Union Generals near the end of the Civil War.Mr. Rada's works include the popular books Saving Shallmar, Canawlers and Battlefield Angels.He will also be on Washington Street during the weekend festival to sign copies of his books.

The C &O Canal NHP Visitor Center at the historic Western Maryland Railway Station at Canal Place will also be open daily from 9 am –5 pm.Call 301-722-8226 for more information.