The Canal Society of New Jersey and the Morris County Heritage Commission plans to jointly present their second annual New Jersey Canals and Local History Symposium on Sat., March 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The symposium, which is open to the public, takes place at the Haggerty Education Center at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township.  As space is limited, advance registration is suggested.  Checks for the $15 registration fee, payable to CSNJ and with “symposium” on the memo line, should be mailed to Canal Society of New Jersey, P.O. Box 737, Morristown, N.J. 07963.  Registrants should include their name, e-mail address, phone number, and historical society or educational affiliation.

The daylong symposium will feature local experts discussing a wide range of history and preservation topics. Attendees will follow a canal boat’s surprising journey from the Morris Canal to a spot beneath a New Jersey home and finally to Waterloo Village.  Speakers include Rick Giles on the Morris Canal’s role in the coal industry, Joyce Kanigel on the Atno family of Shippenport and Rockaway, and Joe Macasek on the partnership between the Delaware & Raritan Canal and the Camden & Amboy Railroad.  John Manna will review plans to complete the restoration of Lock 2 East.  Andrea Proctor will discuss the latest happenings at Waterloo Village in Sussex County; and Rich Rockwell, the Morris Canal’s transformation from transit system to urban greenway in Bloomfield.

Various canal artifacts will be on display and attendees can view a video of a functioning inclined plane. Participants will take home a complimentary packet of materials containing useful information for history buffs, study resources for students, and lesson plans for teachers.  The Canal Society will offer a wide selection of local history books at its sales table.  Morning coffee and lunch are also included.

Additional information is available by contacting 973-292-2755 or macgraphics1@verizon.net.

The Canal Society of New Jersey is a non-profit organization formed in 1969 to foster the study of the history of New Jersey’s Morris and Delaware & Raritan towpath canals; preserve and restore canal remains and artifacts; and educate the public.  Members have opportunities to visit canals and other historic sites.  More information is available at https://canalsocietynj.org.