This fall Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) is offering two family programs about New Jersey canals.

On Mon., Sept. 14 visit MHHM to learn more about canals in New Jersey during the program “Towpaths and Tenders” Children ages five to eight and their families will explore canals by building a canal model to fill with water. Children will then create their own canal boats to float on the model which they can take home at the end of the program. Other activities will also help children understand what life was like living on the canal.

On Mon., Oct. 12 families with children ages eight to twelve can discover how the Morris Canal changed the landscape of northern New Jersey and affected the economy during “Breaking Ground: Digging the Morris Canal”. Learn how the canal was built during activities that include building a large map showing the route. The Morris Canal’s ground-breaking ceremony at the Great Pond, now known as Lake Hopatcong, on Oct. 15, 1825 will also be remembered.

“Towpaths and Tenders: Canals in New Jersey” on Sept. 14 and “Breaking Ground: Digging the Morris Canal” on Oct. 12 offer two session options, 10 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required for educations programs, space is limited. To register, call Cynthia Winslow at (973) 538-2404 ext. 16 or email her at cwinslow@maccullochhall.org $6 for children of museum members and $8 for children of non-members. There is no fee for accompanying adult. For more information, visit maccullochhall.org.

Both family programs will include a visit to MHHM’s “Canals of New Jersey” exhibit. MHHM has partnered with the Canal Society of New Jersey (CSNJ) to present this travelling exhibit which consists of panels that tell the story of New Jersey’s two towpath canals, the Morris and the Delaware and Raritan. For the installation at MHHM, the exhibit has gotten a face lift, with new titles and new art work. The CSNJ’s display has been supplemented by objects including some from MHHM’s collection and information about Macculloch Hall founder George Macculloch who had the idea for the Morris Canal.  Open during touring hours through Oct. 29.