Lowell Canal Tour

On Wednesday, June 5, we went to the canals in Lowell on the Merrimack River, at the former locations of the textile factories of the early 20th century. We learned about Lowell’s thriving industry in the early 1900s, and the construction and maintenance of the canal system allowing boats to access the factories from the Merrimack River.

We got to see, in action, the complex mechanisms built to allow travel between the river and canals, and at the same time learn the history about Lowell and the Merrimack River, and how human impact has shaped the river and its surrounding environment.

Our tour guides were very informative, friendly, and cheerful, and did a great job of answering our many questions about the canals and the history of Lowell’s industry.