the d&h canal historical society and museum

the D&H Canal was one of the really important links in America's historical transportation system. Between the end of the Revolution and the arrival of the railroads, canals like the D&H (linking the Delaware and the Hudson Rivers,hence the initials) provided transport for everything from cement (mined and "cooked" in and around Rosendale, NY) to timber and building materials-- and,of course, farmed goods. This museum tells the story charmingly, and afterward you can wander through the canal site, and see the locks (what's left of them) and the channel that once carried so much.

We had a great tour of this small but fascinating museum. It's a must for anyone who's interested in history, especially with regards to trade and the logistics of it, in this case, the building and use of canals for the transport of goods. You'll get to see some of the actual tools used to build the canals and boats, and see a life-size scale reproduction of one of the tiny cabins that workers had to share on coal boats. There's also a very cool working model to demonstrate how the water levels were adjusted in the canals to allow passage of the ships. I highly recommend opting for the guided tour, even if you're a small group. There were only two of us, but our guide gave us a 5-star tour with lots of great stories—you'll get more from the experience that way than if you just go in alone and walk around.