Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area & Canal Place

25/11/2024

You better watch out, You better not cry, you better not pout I'm tellin' you why, Santa Claus is coming to town! See you Saturday. 🎄🎅🤶

23/11/2024

FY25 Mini Grants are open!
Do you work with a Non-profit or local jurisdiction?
Do you have a heritage related project that needs funding?
Are you located in the PWP Heritage Area?
Visit us online to get all of the details about our mini grant program or contact us [email protected] to discuss your project
Click below for details

PWP Heritage Area ABOUT US Maryland's First Heritage Area In 1993, Maryland created the state's first Heritage Area- Canal Place, and established the Canal Place Preservation

21/11/2024

The Heritage Area is getting all dressed up for the holidays. Get out this holiday season and shop small and enjoy the beauty of your hometown!
📸Erin Dettenburn Photography

19/11/2024

Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area has been busy lately. On Oct 23rd we traveled to Chestertown to meet with our Heritage Area administrators, board and colleagues to discuss our heritage work throughout MD and continue working on the statewide Heritage Area strategic plan. We also attended the first annual MD Outdoor Recreation Conference at Rocky Gap Casino Resort. We shared progress about the River Park and the Heritage Area expansion with industry partners throughout MD. The Heritage Areas were honored to receive the MD Tourism partnership award at the 40th annual Travel and Tourism Summit. This award honors organizations who work within MD tourism with various partners to elevate and promote Maryland tourism. Lastly, we visited with our local Rotary Club and discussed ongoing projects and programs within the Heritage Area. If you are interested in following us hit that like button and follow us and signup for newsletters at: www.passagesofthepotomac.org

15/11/2024

Join Olaf for a Winter Adventure at the Celebration Of Lights and Holiday Market at Canal Place on Saturday, Nov 30th. Shop local vendors and Canal Place Shops for unique gifts. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy dinner and vote on your favorite Christmas cookie. Bring a gift for Toys for Tots and meet Miss Maryland Teen Zoe Zuzak. This is a free community event. Come help us light up Canal Place and kick off the holiday season.

14/11/2024

We would like to congratulate everyone involved in the Baltimore St downtown revitalization project. We were thrilled to be apart of today’s celebration. This newly designed city center is sure to become a crown jewel in Cumberland. This project proves that partnerships work, small towns are mighty and Cumberland is a great small town!

11/11/2024

Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority and Passages of the Weatern Potomac Heritage Area honors those who served, those who currently serve, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice! 🇺🇸 WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE WILL BE OFFERING FREE PARKING FOR VETERANS AT CANAL PLACE BEGINNING DEC 1. Look for the signs for veteran parking and thank you!

02/11/2024

As we move forward with planning make sure you follow our page for updates and developments. Visit our webpage frequently passagesofthepotomac.org and sign up for our newsletter. 🤟🚣‍♀️🚴🚶

01/11/2024

Don't forget to take advantage of Golden Ticket offers at various downtown businesses. visit: passagesofthepotomac.org for a listing of businesses.

Don’t miss a scary good deal on our Polar Express™️ Value Departures! 👻

Enjoy departures of the Polar Express™️ Train Ride at 8:30PM on peak dates, with only $40 coach tickets! 🎄

Book now and learn more at https://wmsr.com/the-polar-express-train-ride

28/10/2024

25/10/2024

Allll Aboradddd! Will you be riding the Polar Express this year? If so, plan ahead and take advantage of your GOLDEN TICKET. When you present your ticket at participating businesses you will receive great deals and promotions exclusively for Polar Express passengers. The fun has just begun visit the Shops at Canal Place and our newly redesigned downtown before you leave. 🎅🎄

23/10/2024

Our Fall Foliage is at peak and our weather is even better. Get out and see the splendor of Autumn in Allegany County! Hiking, Biking, Main Street Shopping, Leaf Peeping and so much more! We have so many ways for you to enjoy the season in Allegany County. 🍂🍁

22/10/2024

Holiday Shopping is on the way. Shop our local stores for unique gifts that are one of a kind and much more personal than box store gifts. Patronize your neighbors businesses, buy the gifts, purchase the gift cards, and celebrate the season at home! Remember "it's the thought that counts"

20/10/2024

Are you coming into town to ride the Polar Express train with Western Maryland Scenic Railroad? BE sure to take advantage of the Golden Ticket Promotion. Enjoy discounts and special deals all over Canal Place and Downtown. Visit our newly designed downtown and grab the deals! Alllll Aboard!!!!!

18/10/2024

Have you marked your calendar yet? We are planning a kick off to the holidays and want you there! Join us on Small Business Saturday, Nov 30th to celebrate the holiday season. We will light up Canal Place, welcome Santa, have live entertainment, activities for kids, food, fun and so much more!

16/10/2024

The River Park at Canal Place project pulled inspiration from many places all over the country. Research and analysis was put into every decision that has been made on the project. Many River Parks similar to ours have been built and are thriving economic engines in their areas. From small towns to large cities River Parks are becoming popular tourist attractions. Providing improved quality of life for residence and tremendous economic impacts for those regions. Our featured photos are from Ohiopyle State Park while the River Park was not built the way ours will be the impacts will be the same. Attracting millions of visitors in a few months and increasing the economic landscape of this small town one visitor at a time.

14/10/2024

On Indigenous People Day we would like to honor our history of Indigenous people in Allegany County. Many Indigenous people lived in Allegany County, Maryland, including the Massawomeck, Susquehannock, and Shawnee:
Massawomeck
Lived in Allegany County and other states, but are not mentioned in historical records after 1635. The Seneca may have displaced them from their territory around 1635.
Susquehannock
Lived in villages on the Western Shore of Allegany County, as well as in Cecil and Harford counties. They fought with the Maryland colony from 1642 to 1652, and signed a peace treaty that gave much of their land to Maryland.
Shawnee
Lived in a village called Opessa Town, which was located in present-day Oldtown, Maryland. They left Allegany County in 1751, but evidence of their presence includes arrowheads, burial sites, and long bows.
Chief Will
A chief who was friendly with the colonists, and may be buried at Will's K**b. His Mountain and Creek are named after him.
The Allegany Museum in Allegany County has exhibits that trace the history of the area from the arrival of Native Americans 12,000 years ago to the 20th century. The museum also has a historical marker called “The Warrior's Path”, which was installed in 1938. The Warrior's Path was a route used by Native communities for trade, politics, and relocation.