News Release

Celebrate completed work on Locks 3 and 4 of the C&O Canal in Georgetown

Lock 3 of the C&O Canal

Stephanie Spencer

News Release Date: September 5, 2019

Contact: Katie Liming, 202-619-7156

The National Park Service (NPS) and Georgetown Heritage invite the community to celebrate the completion of Locks 3 and 4 of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal) on Thursday, Sept. 12 at noon. You’re invited to celebrate this milestone and learn about the multi-year partnership with Georgetown Heritage to restore, revitalize and re-imagine this first mile of the C&O Canal through Georgetown.

Held at Lock 3 on the C&O Canal (Thomas Jefferson Street), the event will include music, children’s activities, brief remarks from NPS, city and community leaders and updates on the Georgetown Canal Plan. Georgetown Heritage will share exciting updates on the historic replica canal boat, planned to launch in 2020.

Locks 3 and 4 were constructed between 1829-1831. The NPS removed the original Lock 3 gates in October 2016. For nearly two years, artisans used period tools and methods to reconstruct the lock and preserve the C&O Canal’s history and heritage. The gates are constructed from southern yellow pine. To restore the walls of Lock 3, the NPS used as much of the original Aquia Creek sandstone stones as possible. Each stone from the wall of Lock 3 was cataloged, disassembled and reassembled in its original location. 

Visit www.georgetownheritage.org for more on the Georgetown Canal Plan.