You can now create your own itineraries to guide your C&O Canal exploration, or you can copy one of ours! Learn more about Itineraries.
The challenges of moving marble from the Marble Quarry to a re-building Washington in the early part of the 19th century demonstrated exactly how valuable the C&O Canal would be. The quarry, discovered near here by architect Benjamin Latrobe, contained “limestone breccia” marble suitable for columns in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers. Learn more.
The challenges of moving marble from the Marble Quarry to a re-building Washington in the early part of the 19th century demonstrated exactly how valuable the C&O Canal would be. The quarry, discovered near here by architect Benjamin Latrobe, contained “limestone breccia” marble suitable for columns in the House of Representatives and Senate chambers.
Getting the marble to Washington wasn’t easy, as the great blocks of stone had to be boated down the Potomac River utilizing skirting canals around the rough stretches of water. In fact, Latrobe lamented about the entire process of mining marble, writing that “…every species of difficulty has been encountered. In opening the quarry, in collecting laborers, quarries and marble masons, in providing dwellings, shops and tools, and in organizing a great undertaking on the banks of a river where no habitation before existed.”
We know that to preserve something, you need to experience it, so we are proud to provide support to the C&O National Historical Park as their official philanthropic partner.
Please visit the National Park Service website for the following information:
For more information and nearby places to stay or grab a bite to eat, please visit our local tourism partners:
There has been a lapse in appropriations, and a shutdown of the federal government is currently in effect. Much of the C&O Canal National Historical Park remains accessible to the public, however, the National Park Service is not able to operate as normal. Scheduled C&O Canal Trust events and Canal Quarters reservations will continue as scheduled.
Learn more about what the shutdown means for the C&O Canal National Historical Park.