Museum Notice

Due to the closure of the Glendon Hill Road Bridge leading into Hugh Moore Park, the National Canal Museum, DLNHC offices, and archives will be temporarily closed through the remainder of 2026. As a result, our research capacity will be limited, and we will be unable to accommodate archival visits during this time.

Researchers may still submit Archive Requests, and we will make every effort to accommodate them to the best of our ability given the circumstances.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and look forward to resuming normal operations as soon as access is restored.

Permanent Exhibitions

The National Canal Museum’s main gallery offers an unique glimpse into what life was like during the Canal Era.  Artifacts from the period are interspersed with hands-on interactive displays that give visitors the chance to steer a canal boat, harness a mule, and build an aqueduct.

The Buehler Gallery features artifacts from the Buehler Furniture Factory in Allentown, including a wide variety of chair frames and the working steam engine that powered the factory floor.

Traveling Exhibition

Dynamo! The Innovators, Inventors, & Architects of Revolutionary Change

Special Exhibitions

The National Canal Museum presents at least one special exhibition every year highlighting the industrial heritage of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor or local history relating to canals.

Past

America’s Second Revolution
March 27 – May 31, 2026

To My Much Esteemed Friend: The Autographed Portrait Collection of Charles M. Schwab
April 4 – December 21, 2025

Putting Down Routes: From Native Trails to Interstates
April 6 – December 22, 2024

Coal Country Portraits
April 1 – December 17, 2023

Beyond Rosie and Rivets: Industrial Women of the D&L Corridor
April 2 – December 18, 2022

Where Creativity Flows: Two Centuries of Art Inspired by Our Canals
July 8, 2020 – December 19, 2021

What the Rivers Saw: Mapping 200 Years of the D&L Corridor’s Living Landscape
June 1 – December 29, 2019

Frank Wyso: Colors in Bloom
April 27 – July 28, 2019

Frank Wyso: The Coal Connection
November 10 – December 23, 2018

Powering America: Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Railroads
June 2 – December 23, 2018

The Hidden History of Island Park
June 3 – October 31, 2017

Dixie: Easton’s Cup of Health and Happiness
June 11 – October 2, 2016

An “Untryed” Enterprise: Forging America’s Industrial Independence
July 4 – September 27, 2015