Since 2007, the C&O Canal Trust has grown from a small philanthropic partner into a vital source of support for the C&O Canal National Historical Park, one of the most visited parks in the 433-unit National Park System. The generosity of our donors, the commitment of our volunteers, and the strength of our partnerships have helped the Trust expand programs, advance critical preservation efforts, and connect more people with the park. The Trust’s work makes it possible to go beyond what public resources alone can achieve — bringing new ideas, additional capacity, and community investment to the care and appreciation of this treasured place.
As we close FY26 and prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are proud of how far the Trust has come and mindful of the opportunities ahead. Our growth calls for thoughtful planning and investment in the people, partnerships, and structure that will carry our mission forward. We are laying the foundation for the Trust’s next chapter – one that builds on two decades of progress while strengthening our ability to respond to the park’s evolving needs.
This year brought important milestones across our work. We celebrated the opening of Lockhouse 8, the eighth structure in the Canal Quarters Interpretive Program. The structure needed considerably more rehabilitation than anticipated, as is often the case with historic preservation projects. The interior was gutted so that the building could be properly addressed and preserved — not simply made to look better, but cared for in a way that protects its history and ensures it can continue to tell its story. Work was completed in just eight months. That is a remarkable accomplishment for a historic rehabilitation project and reflects the strength of the partnership behind it. The Trust, our contractor, and the National Park Service worked closely together, addressing challenges, coordinating resources, and keeping the work moving forward. The result is a cost-effective investment that leveraged more than $120,000 in combined Trust funding, NPS supplies and labor, and some grant support from Preservation Maryland.
We advanced our commitment to native plant conservation throughout the year by launching a Native Plant Symposium and establishing a new donor-funded Natural Resource Conservation Fellowship, building capacity for research, stewardship, and the protection of the park’s unique natural resources. We also launched the Great Falls Tavern Initiative in partnership with Preservation Maryland, beginning an important new chapter in preserving one of the park’s most active and iconic historic places.
The Trust also continued to expand how we connect with the community and build support for the park. New cause-marketing partnerships with the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy, Cushwa Brewing Company, and Gravel and Grind helped introduce the Trust and its mission to broader audiences, while press features through National Geographic Travel, AAA Magazine, and BBC Travel increased visibility for our local national park and our programs. From Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, to Cumberland, in Western Maryland, our volunteers, education programs, and community partnerships continued to create meaningful opportunities for people to experience, learn about, and care for this extraordinary place.
These accomplishments are shaping how we prepare for the future. As our operations and programs have grown in reach and complexity, we have strengthened our organizational structure to support the next phase of our work. The creation of two new Vice President positions brings dedicated senior leadership to two critical areas of the Trust, strengthening program delivery, our partnership with the NPS, and our ability to scale philanthropic support. We are also expanding our focus on Visitor Programs, building on existing tours and hikes while developing new opportunities to connect visitors more deeply with the C&O Canal’s history, natural beauty, and unparalleled recreational experiences.
We enter the Trust’s 20th anniversary year with deep gratitude for all that we have accomplished together and excitement for what lies ahead. For two decades, the Trust’s progress has been made possible by our canal community. Together, let’s look ahead to what else is possible. Your support is an investment in the C&O Canal’s future. Every gift helps us preserve more, reach more people, and ensure that this place remains vibrant and welcoming for generations to come.
Thank you for believing in the C&O Canal, for standing with the Trust and the National Park Service, and for being part of the community that makes this work possible.
Photos by Brian Rimm, Trust Staff, Efrain Vargas, and Nicholas Clements