News Release

C&O Canal to present concept designs for new Williamsport headquarters

Date: March 29, 2019
Contact: Catherine Bragaw, 301-714-2238
Contact: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, 202-619-7177

The National Park Service (NPS) is working with local communities to facilitate the relocation of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park’s (C&O Canal) headquarters from Hagerstown to Williamsport, Md.

The NPS invites interested members of the public to view conceptual plans for the new headquarters and visitor center on April 9, 2019, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Williamsport Community Building located in Byron Memorial Park.

 

As part of its commitment to collaborate with the community, the NPS is soliciting feedback on the conceptual plans for the relocation of the park’s headquarters to the former Miller Lumber Company site. That site is located in the Williamsport Historic District, and is adjacent to the canal. Both the C&O Canal and the Williamsport Historic District are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Hearing from members of the community is a critical piece of the planning process. The NPS will accept public comments on the proposed plans from Tuesday, April 9 to Friday, April 26. The NPS will continue to hold public meetings to discuss next steps as the project progresses. There are three ways to comment during this period:

 

• In person at the public meeting on April 9, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Williamsport Community Building in Byron Memorial Park at 2 Park Road, Williamsport, Md. 21795

• Online through the park Planning, Environment & Public Comment webpage at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CanalHeadquarters

• By mail for letters postmarked by April 26, 2019:

  • Attn:  HQ Relocation Project

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100

Hagerstown, Md  21740

 

The NPS is also looking for historical information on the Williamsport section of the C&O Canal and the Miller Lumber site from the community including photographs, historical data or stories. This information will be used by the NPS and Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) to contribute to the documentation of the site and to plan for the headquarters.