Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area & Canal Place

11/02/2025

As a part of the Appalachian region and the recipient of many ARC grants we are thrilled to have Governor Wes Moore serving as a co-chair for the Appalachian Regional Commission. We look forward to working with ARC and the Governor to continue the great work we do in the Appalachian Region.

Elected by his fellow Appalachian governors, Maryland Governor Wes Moore is ARC's 2025 States' Co-Chair!

Governor Moore will work alongside his fellow governors and ARC’s Federal Co-Chair to advance economic growth across the 13-state, 423-county Appalachian Region.

Thank you to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for his contributions while serving as 2024 States' Co-Chair. ARC invested over $364 million in 583 projects in fiscal year (FY) 2024, which attracted an additional $5 billion in private investments. Those investments are projected to create or retain 16,000+ jobs and prepare 39,600+ students and workers for new opportunities.

We look forward to working alongside Governor Moore to continue strengthening Appalachia in the year ahead.

Read our full announcement: https://bit.ly/3WOC59R

28/01/2025

The Gordon-Roberts House, located at 218 Washington Street in Cumberland, Maryland, is a historic house museum that offers a glimpse into upper-middle-class life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1867 by Judge Josiah Hance Gordon, a prominent attorney and former president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the house exemplifies the Second Empire architectural style.

After the Gordon family, the residence was home to W. Milnor Roberts II, an engineer involved in railroad construction and an accomplished violinist who crafted violins in his third-floor workshop. The Roberts family resided in the house for over sixty years, hosting numerous social events during their tenure.

Today, the Allegany County Historical Society owns and operates the Gordon-Roberts House as a museum. Visitors can explore period rooms furnished with authentic clothing, textiles, art, and toys, providing insight into the domestic life of the era. Costumed docents enhance the experience by offering guided tours, complete with period music and tea service.

The museum also features a research room, a walled garden, and a basement kitchen equipped with antique utensils and a fireplace.

Its location on Washington Street places it among other historic homes once inhabited by state senators and members of the House of Representatives, reflecting Cumberland's significance as Maryland's second-largest city during that period.
📸Erin Dettinburn

26/01/2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL for Architectural and Engineering Design Services for the Trails Portion of the River Park at Canal Place

The Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority (CPPDA) is seeking professional architectural and engineering services to design and obtain permits and regulatory approvals for a minimum 8-foot-wide, on-grade, shared-use path for cumulative length of 3.9 miles from approximately Kelly Road to Elizabeth Street along the North Branch of the Potomac River in Cumberland, Maryland. The shared-use path would include a wetland trail; an overlook on the trail; passive seating areas, a small pedestrian bridge; railing, landscaping, interpretive and wayfinding signage; and a parking area.

The affiliated whitewater park design, which includes riverbank and channel modifications, is not included in this scope. CPPDA intends to award one contract for all the trails and trail connections.

About River Park

The River Park at Canal Place is situated in Cumberland, Maryland, and includes property in both Maryland and West Virginia. It encompasses approximately 2 miles along the Potomac River, including the adjacent shorelines up to the top of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) levee. This 2-mile stretch is located approximately 0.5 miles upstream of the Blue Bridge and extends 1.5 miles downstream to the Carpendale Trestle.

Adjacent to River Park, numerous historic properties, including the C&O Canal Towpath National Historic Park and the National Road, offer cultural significance. Additionally, tourism opportunities abound with the presence of the Great Allegheny Passage trail and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad.

Click below for all of the details and to submit a bid
https://passagesofthepotomac.org/requests-for-proposal-ae-for-the-trail-portion-of-the-river-park-at-canal-place/

25/01/2025

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE .....
We know how great the Allegany Museum is but let's share it with everyone else! Vote for Allegany Museum as the Best Small Town Museum 2025!

Readers can vote once per day at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-museum-2025/ until voting ends on Monday, February 10th at 11:59am EST. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Wednesday, February 19th at noon EST.

Voting for the Best Small Town Museum is open! Cast your vote daily to help pick the 2025 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Small Town Museum.

24/01/2025

Do you have memories of the old Brewing Company or Old German Beer?

The Old German Brewing Company in Cumberland, MD, has a rich history. It was originally founded in the late 1800s, and it was one of the significant breweries in the area during the industrial age. Cumberland itself was a booming area back in the day, and the brewery played an important role in the local economy and community.

The brewery was known for producing a variety of German-style beers, which was fitting for the area with its large German immigrant population at the time. It eventually ceased operation, but the history of the brewery remains part of Cumberland's cultural heritage.

23/01/2025

Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority and the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area continues to drive efforts forward with the River Park Project. An RFP has been released to secure Architectural and Engineering Design Services for the Trails Portion of the River Park at Canal Place. Visit: https://passagesofthepotomac.org/requests-for-proposal-ae-for-the-trail-portion-of-the-river-park-at-canal-place/ for full details and bid submission. See what is new with the River Park below and visit us online to stay up to date.

17/01/2025

Another very productive and successful Mountain Maryland PACE is in the books. Thank you to the PACE comittee for a great event and thank you to the many local and regional leaders for your partnerships. Together we all make Mountain Maryland a better place to live and play.

02/01/2025

Visit Western MD for a new perspective on Maryland life.

There's an entirely different kind of beauty waiting for you in Western Maryland. One that will permanently change your perspective of Maryland.

01/01/2025

19/12/2024

FY26 Heritage Area Grants now open. Click the link for details deadline dates, guidelines, etc.

An official website of the State of Maryland.

18/12/2024

Christmas in Cumberland is a special treat. Come visit us and see what it is all about. Video; Stone Lyons

CUMBERLAND, MARYLAND - Elf Irene and Elf Sebastien were invited to the visit Cumberland by Santa; a great honor, as Cumberland, Maryland is as magical and it...

16/12/2024

Winter is a special time in the Mountain Maryland region. Come shop our new City Center in the downtown area and the Shops at Canal Place for the most unique and personal gifts. Take in one of our many Winter festivals or events. Visit one of the many museums in the area and learn about the stories of our history and heritage. Or take an exhilarating ride on the Polar Express Train Ride. A visit to Mountain Maryland this Winter is a must for the entire family!

11/12/2024

Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority, a state agency works for Allegany County. Bringing many low cost and free events to Cumberland. Through advocacy, education, and promotion the Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area offers funding resources, technical assistance, and grant opportunities to local non-profit and jurisdictions throughout the Heritage Area. These resources would not be available without the support of the state programs that support Canal Place. Learn more at www.passagesofthepotomac.org

07/12/2024

Time to think about FY26 grant season

Save the date: the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority’s (MHAA) FY26 grant round for capital and non-capital heritage-related projects will be launching on Wednesday, December 18. Over $5 million in grant funding will be available across Maryland’s 13 heritage areas. https://mht.maryland.gov/Pages/MHAA/heritage-areas.aspx

Grant guidelines, sample applications, due dates, and the link to begin an Intent to Apply form which is required and due Monday, January 27, 2025 will be available on the Maryland Heritage Areas webpages: https://mht.maryland.gov/.../heritage-areas-financial.aspx.

If you are interested in learning more about this grant opportunity, MHAA staff will be hosting virtual Q&A sessions to review the online application process, provide grant writing tips, discuss application requirements, and more. We hope you will join us!

Recorded Virtual Webinar:
Available December 18

Virtual Q&A Sessions (via Google Meet, details on the MHAA webpages):

Monday, January 6 from 1 to 2pm
Tuesday, January 14 from 10 to 11am
Tuesday, January 21 from 12 to 1pm
Friday, February 21 from 10 to 11am



Maryland Milestones (Anacostia Trails Heritage Area) Baltimore National Heritage Area Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area Patapsco Valley Heritage Area Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area
Garrett County Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area & Canal Place Beaches, Bays, Water Ways - Beach to Bay Heritage Area Heritage Montgomery I Love Dorchester Heritage & Tourism