Date: March 21, 2017
Contact: Dorothy McQuaid, 301-739-6940
Potomac, MD - On March 26th, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. Ric Jackson, longtime volunteer with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal), will share his knowledge of one of the park’s hidden gems. Did you know that less than 10 miles from Great Falls, there was a sandstone quarry and stonecutting mill that provided the red Seneca sandstone for the Smithsonian Castle? Join Ric, as well as other volunteers from the park’s Bike Patrol, for a trip to the quarry ruins to see this unique site and learn its story.
The trip will feature a bike ride from the Great Falls Tavern to the Seneca Stonecutting Mill, a hike up to the Seneca Quarry, a visit to the Quarry Master’s House, and of course, commentary and knowledge from our volunteers. The bike ride will be about 20 miles round-trip on the towpath, and the hike less than an hour, on possibly rough terrain. Attendees are asked to bring snacks, water, their bike helmet, bike, and lock for their bike. The group will return to the Great Falls Tavern around 1 p.m. The event is weather permitting, if heavy rain is predicted or if the paths are too muddy it will be rescheduled. Cancellation will be announced on the park’s Facebook account no later than 8 p.m. on March 25. Because the ride will be strenuous, it is not recommended for children.
The program is free, but there is an entrance fee to the park of $10.00 per single vehicle. Space is limited to the first 25 guests. If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP with your name and how many will be in your party. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Dorothy McQuaid, Education Intern, at e-mail us. The Bike Loaner Program has bikes available to borrow. If attendees need to borrow a bike, they will need to notify Dorothy in advance and arrive early on the day of the event!
The park entrance to Great Falls Tavern is located at the intersection of Falls Road and MacArthur Boulevard in Potomac, Maryland.
