About The Friends of The Historic Great Falls Tavern

The Friends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern is a non-profit, member supported organization dedicated to preserving the Historic Great Falls Tavern and other historic structures located in the C&O Canal National Historical Park (the Park).

The Great Falls Tavern Winter 2005

Originally founded in 1973 as the Friends of the Great Falls Tavern to advocate on behalf of preservation and educational projects in Park, The Friends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern was formally chartered as qualified 501(c)(3) in 1997 both to succeed existing mission of the the original Friends as well as to enable the organization to accept active stewardship of major preservation projects in the Park.

Since that time, the Friends have engaged in a number of public/private partnerships including: stewardship of a highly successful rehabilitation of the Tavern completed in 2000; as well as our most recent effort to build the replica canal packet boat, Charles S. Mercer currently sited on the canal at Lock 20 adjacent to the Tavern.

In addition to these projects, The Friends sponsor seasonal and cultural events at the Tavern, organize historical excursions in the Park and adjacent canal towns; as well as keeping our members informed as to ongoing preservation and conservation issues in the Park through a monthly newsletter.

For further information about joining the Friends please drop us a line at: membership@friendsofgreatfallstavern.org