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.
There’s nothing quite like a college to keep a town young and vibrant. Located on 325 acres in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley and on the banks of the Potomac River sits Shepherd University – a public university in West Virginia. Learn more.
There’s nothing quite like a college to keep a town young and vibrant. Located on 325 acres in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley and on the banks of the Potomac River sits Shepherd University – a public university in West Virginia.
A West Virginia Act of 1871 established a State Normal School “at the building known as Shepherd College.” Offering postsecondary education to prospective teachers, Shepherd College was coed from the beginning, when it had only 42 students and one building. By 1874 Shepherd was serving 160 students and in 1930 it expanded to a four-year college. Today Shepherd has about 4,300 students and 36 buildings.
Shepherd University, whose mascot is the Rams, was ranked as one of 2015’s Best Colleges. The university is a major influence in Shepherdstown, a town of 1,700. Visitors can take a historic tour of Shepherd University – more information here.
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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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.