Volunteering to help the park: A work crew installs a bench near Great Falls in 2016.
Supporting park projects: Catoctin Aqueduct after collapse in 1973
Supporting park projects: Catoctin Aqueduct after restoration effort in 2011
Exploring history and nature: Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct as viewed from the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
Protecting the canal since 1954: The association opposes Georgetown University’s plan to build a large boathouse in the park
Protecting the canal since 1954: The association opposes Georgetown University’s plan to build a large boathouse in the park
Exploring history and nature: Hikers gather at Fifteen Mile Creek Aqueduct in 2018.
Protecting the canal since 1954: Justice Douglas and eight others pause during their famous hike, which publicized the canal in 1954
Exploring history and nature: Ranger provides interpretation for hikers at Seneca Stone Cutting Mill in 2020.
Exploring history and nature: Hikers marvel at a large specimen during a tree identification walk in 2012
Volunteering to help the park: Association volunteer attaches plaque to newly installed bench in 2018.
Exploring history and nature: Association members participate in the last day of the 2009 Thru Hike at Great Falls
Volunteering to help the park: Association member helps install an identification sign at Landers in 2011
Exploring history and nature: Hikers gather at Dam 5 in 2019.
Protecting the canal since 1954: Justice Douglas and others rally against replacing the canal with a highway.
Volunteering to help the park: Association members repaint picnic tables at Swains Lock
Volunteering to help the park: Association volunteers assemble picnic table in 2018.
Late in 1861, Major Wilder Dwight's 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry found itself with other US Army units stationed near the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland, just north of Washington.
Sanitary conditions in the makeshift encampments were poor and the list of sick soldiers grew to the point that medical authorities sought to send the most severely ill patients on to medical facilities elsewhere. In this part of Maryland, it was believed the most efficient way to transport the patients would be via the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal to Washington. The plan did not go well.
Major Dwight sounded off about the whole sordid incident in a letter home:
“To-day a part of our sick have been sent off to the General Hospital at Baltimore. Preparations were made yesterday by the Medical Director to send the worst cases from the whole division.
"The order came to move the sick down to the canal…came early this morning. At 10 o’clock they were moving; and at 5 o’clock this afternoon the boat was ready for them. The whole day they waited – 200 sick men, in wagons and discomfort – on the banks of the canal. The sight was most irritating this afternoon when I rode down there.
"Just at nightfall they were huddled in, 150 men to one canal boat, the rest sent back for want of room, and the boat moved off. Wretched mismanagement, and I fear great suffering as its fruit…”
Source:
"Life and Letters of Wilder Dwight
Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols," 1891. Page 162.
Image credit:
"Union troops being towed along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal...in late 1861" - New York Illustrated News, November 11, 1861; Princeton University Library - accessed through Crossroads of War,
The Army keeps good records. Where were the men loaded on the boat and, then, taken off?
Kurt Schwarz will lead a walk focusing on birds this weekend on April 27. The walk starts at Riley’s Lock at 8 AM. We will walk the towpath in search of migrating warblers. A target will be the lovely Prothonotary Warbler (see image), which nests on the watered section of the Canal northwest of the Lock. Other warblers, thrushes, and finches will also be sought. Waterfowl are possible on the river. Bring binoculars, water, snacks, and anything else you may need to spend 2-3 hours in the outdoors.
Our favorite week of the year is almost here… National Park Week!
Join us on Saturday, April 20th to kick off National Park Week at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, which will be hosting a variety of activities and music performances during the week.
On Saturday, there will be a live performance of bluegrass music by the Seneca Creek Bluegrass Band. The program will be held at the Great Falls Tavern from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Stop in to listen and learn about bluegrass music.
The first Meet the Mules program of the year kicks off on Saturday as well! During the program visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of mules and the canal and how the park works with and takes care of its current mule team.
The mule program takes place outside the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Potomac, MD. Please note that the program may be altered or cancelled due to weather conditions or staffing.
These are free programs.
Image credit: Seneca Bluegrass Band
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