Who Are We?
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3), independent, all-volunteer citizens organization established in 1954 to help conserve the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The association works with the National Park Service, Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority, and other partners, in its efforts to preserve, protect, and promote the canal and the surrounding environment. To learn about the history of the Association, click here.
How Are We Different?
The C&O Canal Association (established years before the canal became a National Park) is different from the C&O Canal Trust (founded in 2007) in that the Association is an independent organization that can oppose Park policies that it determines are detrimental to the canal, while the Trust is the official philanthropic partner organization and fundraising arm of the Park.
What do we do?
For Members, the Association arranges towpath hikes, cycling events, paddle trips, picnics, field trips, programs, banquets, and other activities over the course of a year. You can view the event calendar here.
For the Public and the Park we:
- Spearhead and provide funds for Historical Monuments and repairs. Click here to see some recent Association projects.
- Directly maintain, clean, repair, and improve park property through its Level Walker and Volunteer In Park (VIP) programs.
- The Association’s highly regarded newsletter, Along the Towpath, provides information about projects and events by both the Park and the Association, as well as historical articles, reports, and more. You can view the Association’s newsletter archive here.
- Bring history to life by publishing a vast library documents describing many aspects of life on and around the canal through time thanks to the on-going work of volunteer members. Check out the Canal History link to see some of their work.
Join us
If you are interested in preserving, protecting, and promoting the canal, consider becoming a member. You can join here.
Volunteering to help the park: A work crew installs a bench near Great Falls.
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.
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: Hikers marvel at a large specimen during a tree identification walk
Volunteering to help the park: Association volunteer attaches plaque to newly installed bench.
Exploring history and nature: Association members participate in the last day of a Thru Hike at Great Falls
Volunteering to help the park: Association member helps install an identification sign at Landers
Exploring history and nature: Hikers gather at Dam 5.
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.