Our archives are maintained as part of the Special Collections of the Gelman Library at George Washington University. They are available to the public in suite 704 of the Library at 2130 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C., during the hours of noon to 8 pm on Mondays, and noon to 5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays, and by appointment at other times during the week. However, it is always best to phone first, to be sure the files you want are waiting for you. Their number is (202) 994-7549.
The Special Collections home page is here.
There is also a page with a very well organized finding aid to the C&OCA archives. The finding aid will help you stroll through all our newsletters, correspondence, clippings, photographs, magazine articles, and reports, covering every phase of the Association’s history and actions. The collection extends back in time to well before the 1954 through hike that led to the canal’s preservation as a National Historical Park.
If you wish to add material to our C&OCA archives, please contact Chris Holdsworth at 301-762-9376 or by email: c.holdsworth@verizon.net.
Another important C&OCA archival collection is the Justice William O. Douglas Papers, maintained at the Western Maryland Room of the Washington County Free Library in Hagerstown, Md. Hours and directions are available.
Those who wish to consult the Douglas Papers or other canal-related resources at the Western Maryland Room may wish to telephone in advance (.301-739-3250 ext. 350).
See also the C&O Canal Historical Documents section of this website.