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.
GEORGE LEWIS (1943-2024)
George Lewis, one of the strongest advocates for the C&O Canal, passed away September 22.
George was the driving force behind the restoration of Catoctin Aqueduct. Two arches of the aqueduct collapsed in a 1973 flood. George owned a nearby farm in Lander. In the early 2000s he started a non-profit organization and began raising funds for restoration of the aqueduct.
In 2007 the National Park Service entered into a formal partnership with George's Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund to raise funds for the project. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the government was looking for “shovel ready” projects to boost the economy. Because of George’s previous efforts, the Catoctin Aqueduct restoration qualified and the project received an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in 2010. Canal lovers celebrated completion of the restoration with a ribbon cutting October 15, 2011.
George had served as chair of the C&O Canal NHP Federal Advisory Commission since 2016. He served as a director of the C&O Canal Association for many years.
You can read more about George’s remarkable life in his obituary, www.keeneybasford.com/obituary/dr-george-lewis-jr.
Next time you see the beautifully restored Catoctin Aqueduct, please remember George and the legacy of his work.
Bill Holdsworth
President
C&O Canal Association
A true advocate of the park. A beautiful restoration of its history. Condolences to his family.
I remember the day the Catoctin aqueduct was dedicated, after George Lewis spoke a bald eagle flew overhead. It seemed as if he could do anything and did.
An outstanding benefactor of the canal who will be greatly missed.
It just seems like yesterday we were preparing for the 2021 World Canals Conference.
Who has stayed in a Lockhouse?Nestled at mile 19.63 on the C&O Canal, Pennyfield Lockhouse at Lock 22 offers a serene escape from the bustling life of Washington, D.C. This tranquil spot has long been a haven for locals seeking a peaceful retreat, where activities like walking, biking, and fishing are part of the everyday charm. In the 1870s, President Grover Cleveland, drawn by memories of his youth on the Erie Canal, would often visit Pennyfield to indulge in his love of fishing, finding solace in the company of locktenders and boatmen. Today, visitors can explore the lock and its surroundings and spend the night in the restored Lockhouse 22, where the calming sounds of the Potomac River and the historic ambiance provide a unique connection to the past. Whether watching a blue heron glide across moonlit waters or sharing stories around a fire, Pennyfield offers a timeless serenity that has been cherished for generations.
Book a stay at Pennyfield Lockhouse through the C&O Canal Trust Canal Quaters Program. www.canaltrust.org/lockhouse-22/
Watch for more information about the C&O Canal National Historical Park in the upcoming issue of Plenty Magazine!
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