INTERPRETIVE CENTER HOURS
Thursday, Friday, Sunday 1-4 pm
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm
(765) 564-2870
There is no admission fee.
When the Canal Association’s Charter members first conceived their plans for restoring the old Wabash & Erie Canal through Delphi in 1971, they had no money, little community support, and no idea when this undertaking could produce results. They did, however, have a vision and that strong attribute has prevailed through the years. This group of mostly retired residents represented a generation that had come through the depression, raised their children in this mostly rural community, and found satisfaction in dreaming of the impossible.
The next generation of Canal Association leaders have adopted the vision from the 1970s and produced a most unique facility -- the WABASH & ERIE CANAL CONFERENCE AND INTERPRETIVE CENTER. Scores of volunteers have come together (many almost daily) to create and build Canal Park and the exciting exhibits comprising the center. This non-profit organization is solely a volunteer effort and has operated since 1974 without any paid staff.
The facility is large enough to have meetings with meals for 300 people. The Long Range Planning Committee sketched the plans, looked for grants and private donations and completed the 12,000 square foot, two million dollar facility. The Department of Transportation was the primary source of the building costs. In addition, the museum galleries, including over 60 exhibits with even more graphic panels have become the Canal Interpretive Center for all to enjoy. Exhibit cost could have been over $600,000 if contracted out. However thousands of hours of volunteer craftsmanship focused on its completion and were funded by a $212,000 grant from DNR's Wabash Heritage Corridor Fund.
The opening of this center was on July 4th 2003, showing off state of the art exhibits like a real water model of a canal--including an operational reservoir, aqueduct, lock and gristmill. This center has become a regional attraction with exhibits to entice children as well as adults.
The Interpretive Center is open to the public year around Thursday, Friday, and Sunday 1-4, and Saturday 10-4 pm. Donations are welcome and have been used for the completion of these galleries. The other half of this beautiful facility houses three conference rooms that can be rented for catered receptions and meetings, reunions, and a variety of community functions. Income from these uses covers the Center's operating expenses. An endowment fund has been started to cover future maintenance and replacement expenses.
The setting in Carroll County places Canal Park and this new center at about the midway point of the full length of this historic manmade waterway across Indiana and Ohio. Construction began in 1832 and was completed from Toledo to Evansville in 1853. At 468 miles, the Wabash & Erie Canal was this nation's longest canal. Significant structural remnants of the canal are identified along Delphi Historic Trails. Three National Register Sites are: the Irish workers construction campsite; Lock #33 and lockkeeper’s house site; and the Harley & Hubbard Lime Kilns. The restored 1873 Paint Creek Iron Bridge now spanning the canal is on the State Register. All sites and many scenic vistas are along the 7-mile trail system and are accessible by hiking from the new center. Trails, too, are a product of volunteer efforts for the past 14 years.
The Canal Association hosts CANAL DAYS FESTIVAL every July in Canal Park, 1030 North Washington Street in Delphi. The opening of the Center has ushered in an exciting new era of historic education for participants of all ages.
GREETINGS:
For years, the non-profit Wabash & Erie Canal Association dreamed of building a multipurpose Canal Center to serve the community and interpret the history of Indiana's canal era. That became a reality with the "grand opening" of the Canal Conference and Interpretive Center in July of 2003.
Our "DREAM" of operating a Replica Canal Boat is the next big endeavor. We commend the sincere donors and general membership for this dedicated monetary support. We have efficiently used volunteer labor, grants and gifts to get us where we are. And it has all happened "ONE PIECE AT A TIME" thanks to the multitude of volunteers.
What we need now to complete our Canal DREAM is our most daunting challenge yet. It is estimated that a half million dollars -- $500,000 -- is needed to develop the docks, warehouse and to launch the Replica Canal Boat. We think it prudent also to seek another $500,000 to provide an ENDOWMENT for future maintenance of the Canal buildings and facilities.
We sincerely believe that the community, businesses and our many supporters from all over the state and nation will realize what an asset the Canal Center will be, not only for the local and state economy, but for preserving an important aspect of Indiana's early history.
Please join with others now as we mount our campaign to expand our activities and include a canal boat. Our gratitude for your help -- at whatever level -- will be appropriately recognized at the Canal Center.
Dan McCain, Canal Board President