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.
Experience a typical 1880 school day in Seneca, Maryland! Learn more.
Experience a typical 1880 school day in Seneca, Maryland!
In 1865, Mr. Darby started collecting subscriptions from neighbors in the form of cash and skills to build and run a schoolhouse. Before this, Seneca children were home schooled or received no education. Teachers were paid a few hundred dollars a year, and families who could not afford school fees would house the teachers. The children mostly came from local farms and settlements, but there were occasionally children from “barge families” as well. When the canal froze in the winter, the families who worked on the canal sent their children to schools while waiting for spring.
Today, 4th graders can attend a 19th century school day program in the Seneca Schoolhouse. In this immersive experience, the teacher wears period clothes and the students are given historically accurate ‘identities’. Call 301-407-0777 to schedule a visit. Visit the gift shop for 19th century school supplies, toys, books, and games.
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:
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C&O Canal Explorer!
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 open to the public, however, the National Park Service is not able to operate as normal. Visitor services, including park visitor centers and other NPS-staffed facilities, will not be available. Inquiries to the National Park Service will not be received or responded to until the shutdown ends.
The C&O Canal Trust’s staff are currently working remotely. Scheduled Trust events and Canal Quarters reservations will continue as scheduled. While a federal government shutdown is in effect, visitors should not expect services typically provided by the National Park Service to be available. All visitors are urged to practice safety in the park and plan ahead. Be a good park steward by recreating responsibly and practicing Leave No Trace principles, respecting cultural and natural resources.
Information regarding the Department of Interior’s Operations in the Absence of Appropriations can be found here: https://www.doi.gov/shutdown.
When federal funding is restored, we look forward to continuing to work with our park partner to ensure the C&O Canal remains beautiful, safe, and welcoming for visitors today and for future generations. Love the Park? Help the Trust! Consider making a donation. Your support directly helps fund beautification, conservation, education, and preservation initiatives in the park.