Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern

News from 2016 can be viewed here

C&O Canal National Park News Release, January 5, 2017, "C&O Canal Intermittent Towpath Closures from Mile Marker 88.1 - 89.3" Geotechnical testing between McMahon's Mill and Lock 42 will require intermittent closures of the towpath in that area.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, January 10, 2017, "C&O Canal Drains Water from Lock 23 to Lock 20 in Great Falls, MD." For approximately one week, the canal between locks 20 and 23 will be drained for a topographical survey to quantify silting.

US Park Police News Release, January 13, 2017, "Park Police Investigating Two Armed Robberies." Two armed robberies have occurred in the area near the Old Aqueduct Bridge, but with no injuries reported. Park Police are investigating.

Potomac Almanac, February 1-7, 2017, "Repairs to Olmsted Bridge to Begin." From mid-February for 3-4 months, the bridge to Olmstead Island will be closed for improvements including sturdier railings and a smoother, non-slip bridge surface.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, February 10, 2017, "Grand George Washington Ball to be held at Great Falls Tavern." Sunday, February 26, 2017, 1-4 pm, the C&O Canal NHP hosts Civil War era music and dance at the Historic Great Falls Tavern. Visitors will be encouraged to join in the fun and dance. Instruction will be provided. Light refreshments of the period will be served.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, February 15, 2017, "C&O Canal Towpath Closure at Paw Paw Tunnel." Beginning mid-February and continuing through July, a portion of the towpath and boardwalk at Mile 155.2 will be closed.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, February 22, 2017, "C&O Canal Volunteers-In-Parks Speaker Series Program Presents: "The Underground Railroad." Carol Nase will give the presentation at 10:00 am, Saturday, February 25 at the Trolley Basin, located next to the Visitors Center in Williamsport.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, February 23, 2017, "Temporary Closure of C&O Canal Cumberland Visitor Center." The Visitor Center in Cumberland will be closed for approximately two weeks for repairs to the heating and air-conditioning system.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, February 24, 2017, "Repairs Close Olmsted Island Bridge and Overlook." Beginning March 1, the trail to Olmsted Island and the Great Falls Overlook will be closed for repairs. The repair project is expected to continue for 3-4 months.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 3, 2017, "Colonial Dames of America to Host Open House at the Abner Cloud House." The Colonial Dames will have docents at the Cloud House, 4940 Canal Road, NW, to provide tours and display a new collection of antique toys.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 4, 2017, "C&O Canal Volunteers-In-Parks Speaker Series Program Presents: 'Eagles of Great Falls'." A short presentation will be followed by observation from the Acqueduct deck near the Great Falls Tavern visitor center.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 8, 2017, "Dulcimer Music at the Historic Great Falls Tavern." Learn to play the hammered dulcimer at a free concert of the Mountain Dulcimers of Northern Virginia, at the Tavern Visitor Center, Saturday March 11 betweeen 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 9, 2017, "Lowering of Water Level in the Cushwa Basin." The water level in the Cushwa Basin, near Williamsport, will be lowered to make repairs to Lock 44. Repairs will begin on or about Wed, March 8 and are estimated to complete by Wed, March 22.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 10, 2017, "Celebration of Irish History and Music at the Historic Great Falls Tavern." On Sunday, March 19, at the Great Falls Tavern, there will be a presentation and music related to the role of the Irish in the history of the C&O Canal.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 13, 2017, "C&O Canal Volunteers-In-Parks Program Celebrates Centennial Achievements." Fifty volunteers have been awarded a centennial coin by serving in park activities for more than 201 hours each during 2016.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 15, 2017, "Georgetown Heritage Selects James Corner Field Operations to Reimagine First Mile of C&O Canal National Historical Park." There will be a public meet-and-greet opportunity at 6 p.m. on March 29.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 20, 2017, "C&O Canal Volunteers-In-Parks Speaker Series: Seneca Quarry Bike Ride." Ride your bike with the group to Seneca Stonecutting Mill and Seneca Quarry, the source of the sandstone for the Smithsonian Castle.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 25, 2017, "C&O Canal Explore the Story of Women's Lives." Volunteers will demonstrate how "women's work" was done during the times of the C&O Canal. Attendees will be invited to participate.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, March 31, 2017, "2017 Canal Boat Excursions Season Opens at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Potomac, Maryland." Mule-drawn canal boat excursions resume on April 1.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 5, 2017, "Conococheague Aqueduct Restoration Groundbreaking Ceremony." On May 5, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the restoration of the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport.

The National Park Service and the C&O Canal Trust are sponsoring a research contest for high school students focusing on canal stories of Black History and Women's history. Deadline for the contest is April 15.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 12, 2017, "C&O Canal Towpath Closure at Paw Paw Tunnel Update." The park will close a portion of the towpath and tunnel at the northern, or downstream, portal of the Paw Paw Tunnel to remove hazards.

National Park Service News Release, April 17, 2017, "NPS Proposes Plan to Manage Deer Populations at C&O Canal and Harpers Ferry." Comments on the plan may be offered through May 16, 2017.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 20, 2017, "Celebrating Park RX Day: 'One Health: Your Health & the Park's Health'." Discussion of the intersection of wildlife, the ecosystem, and human health, led by public health professional, Susan Howard, at 11:00 am, April 23.

C&O Canal National Park Email, April 28, 2017, "Public Meetings Set for Deer Management Plan." The National Park Service is inviting the public to review and comment on a plan to reduce overabundant deer populations that impact the natural and historic scenery at C&O Canal National Historical Park.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 2, 2017, "Conococheague Aqueduct Restoration Groundbreaking Ceremony." The groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be at 11:00 am, Friday, May 5 at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, MD.

Potomac Almanac, May 10-16, 2017, "Volunteers Needed for C&O Canal Pride Days." The annual event was delayed by rain to May 13. You can volunteer by going to www.canaltrust.org and clicking on Volunteer.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 12, 2017, "Hostile Border: Civil War Union Troops Guard the Great Falls Tavern." The re-enactors of the 20th Maine will camp at Greats Falls Tavern this weekend.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 23, 2017, "101 Years, 101 Culverts." Steve Dean interprets the stone culverts of the Canal as works of art in a presentation at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 27 at the Great Falls Visitors Center.

Email Note from C&O Canal Association, June 8, 2017, "2017 Trail Guide Available." The 2017 Trail Guide, including trail descriptions, town maps, business listings, and services and a weatherproof trail map is available at http://candocanal.org/store.html.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, June 13, 2017, "Repairs Close Olmsted Island Bridge and Overlook." Re-opening is anticipated in early July 2017.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, June 20, 2017, "C&O Canal Volunteers-in-Parks Speaker Series Program Presents: 'Canal Myths and Truths, Save them Both'." Join Karen Gray, PhD, on Sat, June 24 at 2 pm at Great Falls Tavern, to more about truths and myths of the C&O Canal.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, June 30, 2017, "Conococheague Aqueduct Restoration Construction and Detour." A contract has been let for the restoration of the Conococheague Aqueduct to its 1920s appearance and creation of the first operational, watered aqueduct since 1924.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 7, 2017, "Olmsted Island Bridge and Overlook to Reopen on Weekends." The trail to the Great Falls overlook will be open for weekends only until refurbishment is completed.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 13, 2017, "Photography Talk and Walk with Steve Dean." Photographer Steve Dean will provide tips for photographing the canal on a talk and walk event beginning 10 am, July 29 at the Hancock, MD, Visitor Center.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 14, 2017, "C&O Canal Invites Visitors to Join Ongoing Park Summer Programs from Cumberland to Williamsport." The park service is running a number of free summer programs at various points along the canal.

National Park Service News Release, July 10, 2017, "Congressionally Mandated Senior Pass Increase to Take Effect on August 28." The cost of the lifetime pass for seniors will increase to $80 from the current $10. Previously purchased passes will continue to be honored for the life of the holder.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 19, 2017, "Latino Conservation Week Event at Great Falls Tavern." Great Falls Tavern will host a day of childrens' activities from 11:00 am to 4:15 pm, Thursday, July 20.

National Park Service News Release, July 24, 2017, "Capital Crescent Trail Detour due to Repairs to Upper Potomac Interceptor at Foundry Branch." There will be detours around water supply work near the Capital Crescent Trail beginning July 31 and extending for 16 weeks.

National Park Service News Release, July 28, 2017, "Olmsted Island Bridge and Overlook Open Seven Days a Week." The trail to the Great Falls overlook has been fully reopened to the public following refurbishment.

National Park Service News Release, July 31, 2017, "C&O Canal NHP begins hazardous tree maintenance in Montgomery County." There will be partial closures in some areas while tree maintenance is underway.

C&O Canal Trust, August 16, 2017, "C&O Canal's Swains Lockhouse Rehabilitation Awarded $100,000 Centennial Challenge Grant." The funds match money raised by the Trust, the Friends, and the C&O Canal Association and will pay for deferred maintenance on the lockhouse.

National Park Service News Release, October 6, 2017, "Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Fee Increases at Great Falls." The National Park Service proposes increasing entrance fees at both Great Falls (Va.) and Great Falls (Md.). The fees would help fund improvements at the parks.

National Park Service News Release, December 4, 2017, "Maintaining the Flow." Construction will soon begin on a project to improve water control structures in 8 areas between Little Falls and Swains Lock. Work is anticipated to complete in spring 2019.

C&O Canal Association, December 24, 2017, "Proposed Pipeline draws Opposition." Maryland Dept of the Environment had a hearing on granting a permit for a natural gas pipeline proposed to go under the C&O Canal.