C&O Canal Association

6 hours ago

Head downtown with your family this Friday to the Brunswick Heritage Museum for a fun and educational experience at the! Crafts, Games, Tour of the museum and a snack break.

The kids will learn all kinds of history in a fun and entertaining way, Enjoy a light snack Receive a Brunswick Heritage Museum Patch

Kids will explore local history. During this exciting program, the kids will learn about:

The historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal)
The legendary Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O Railroad)
The rich history of the people of Brunswick
The event includes:

Hands-on crafts
Interactive games
A personalized tour of the museum
A snack break
Each registered participant will receive a Brunswick Heritage Museum Patch!

💲 Only $8 per kid— a fantastic value for a memorable historical adventure!

Spots are limited, so register today!
www.eventbrite.com/e/history-days-tickets-1988322299522?aff=oddtdtcreator

This event will take anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. A parent or guardian is needed to stay on property. ... See MoreSee Less

C&O Canal Association

6 hours ago

🌕 Look Up Tonight: The Full Buck Moon Over Western Maryland

If the skies are clear this evening, take a moment to look toward the southeastern horizon. July’s Full Buck Moon will be rising over the mountains and river valleys of western Maryland, offering one of the most beautiful moonrises of the summer.

The Buck Moon gets its name from the time of year when male white-tailed deer begin growing a fresh set of antlers covered in soft velvet. For centuries, Native American communities and early settlers used the full moons as seasonal markers, and this midsummer moon became known as the Buck Moon. Other traditional names include the Thunder Moon, for July’s frequent thunderstorms, and the Hay Moon, reflecting the summer harvest.

From an astronomical perspective, the full Moon occurs when Earth lies almost directly between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the Moon’s Earth-facing side to be completely illuminated by sunlight. Although the exact moment of full phase lasts only an instant, the Moon appears full for a night or two on either side.

Whether you’re walking the Cumberland Postcard Trail, enjoying Canal Place, visiting the C&O Canal, or simply relaxing on your porch, tonight is a wonderful reminder that some of the world’s most beautiful sights don’t require a ticket—just a few minutes to look up.

If you capture a beautiful photo of tonight’s Buck Moon over Cumberland, the Potomac River, or the C&O Canal, we’d love to see it in the comments! ... See MoreSee Less

C&O Canal Association

23 hours ago

Did You Know? One of America’s Greatest Conservation Victories Began in Cumberland.

Every day, visitors stroll through Canal Place, walk the C&O Canal Towpath, or begin a bicycle trip toward Washington, D.C. Few realize they’re standing where one of the most important conservation stories in America began.

In the early 1950s, the future of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was uncertain. After decades of disuse as a commercial waterway, there was a proposal to replace much of the historic canal with a scenic highway. Many believed the old canal had outlived its usefulness.

One man saw something different.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, an avid hiker and conservationist, believed the canal was far too valuable to lose. Rather than simply arguing against the proposal, he challenged the editors of The Washington Post to experience the canal for themselves by walking its entire length.

On March 20, 1954, Justice Douglas and a group of 58 hikers departed from Cumberland, the western terminus of the canal, beginning an eight-day journey to Washington. Along the way they encountered snow, mud, swollen streams, and sore feet, yet the beauty of the Potomac Valley—and the importance of preserving it—became impossible to ignore. By the end of the hike, only nine participants completed the entire journey, but the message had reached the nation.

The hike generated nationwide publicity. Newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and newsreels followed their progress. Communities welcomed the hikers as they passed through, and public opinion steadily shifted in favor of protecting the canal. Even The Washington Post, which had originally supported the highway proposal, reversed its position after witnessing the canal firsthand.

Justice Douglas’s hike was only the beginning. The movement he inspired eventually led to the formation of the C&O Canal Association, years of volunteer restoration, and finally, in 1971, the creation of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Today, all 184.5 miles of the canal corridor—from Georgetown to Cumberland—are preserved for hikers, cyclists, paddlers, history lovers, photographers, and families to enjoy.

For generations afterward, the canal became a favorite destination for Boy Scout troops, youth groups, and families, who learned outdoor skills, American history, and conservation while exploring the very towpath that Douglas helped save. His efforts ensured that future generations could experience the canal much as it had existed for more than a century.

Here in Cumberland, we have a special connection to this story. Our city was not just the western end of the canal—it was the place where this historic journey began. Every visitor who starts a walk along the towpath or visits Canal Place is following in the footsteps of people whose determination helped preserve one of America’s greatest national treasures.

The next time you’re exploring downtown Cumberland, take a moment to look toward the canal. You’re standing where a remarkable journey began—one that proved a handful of determined citizens really can change history.

Have you hiked or biked part of the C&O Canal? We’d love to hear your memories! And if you’re visiting Cumberland, don’t forget to pick up a free postcard and become part of the Cumberland Postcard Trail. ... See MoreSee Less