The Middlesex Canal was the state’s first super-highway
On June 4, 2011, the West End Museum, in conjunction with the Middlesex Canal
Association, will open a month-long exhibit titled, “The First Big Dig: Remembering the
Middlesex Canal.” The exhibit kicks off with a public opening and reception on June 4 at 1pm at
the West End Museum, 150 Staniford Street, Suite 7, Boston. The exhibit will feature paintings,
drawings, films, lectures, walking tours and children’s events highlighting the building of the
canal; its function and purpose; and its contribution to the Massachusetts economy.
In 1793, Massachusetts Governor John Hancock ordered the building of the 27 mile canal from
the Merrimack River in Lowell to Boston Harbor. Nothing like it existed in Colonial America.
The Canal was the greatest public works project of its time and revolutionized post-
Revolutionary Massachusetts. Before the railroad was built along the canal route, the waterway
was the state’s first super-highway enabling transport of manufactured goods to Boston Harbor
for export, produce for families in Boston and granite from Billerica for use in the construction
of Beacon Hill’s grand mansions and the new Massachusetts General Hospital.
In the 19th Century, the West End developed as Boston’s transportation hub; today, the West End
Museum celebrates that history and embraces Boston’s evolution. A number of free events are
planned in conjunction with the exhibit—running from June 4-July 9, 2011—designed to
educate, inform and delight families, children and transportation buffs.
The Middlesex Canal was the most important transportation development of its time but its story
has rarely been told. The Middlesex Canal Association and the West End Museum wish to thank
its sponsors for helping bring this exhibit to life.
Middlesex Canal Show Programs at the West End Museum
June 1 – July 9, 2011
Middlesex Canal Show Opening
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 1:00pm – 4:00pm
@ West End Museum
Refreshments & Entertainment
FREE
Bulfinch’s Granite Buildings / Museum Talk
Monday, June 6, 2011 at 6:30pm-7:30pm
@ West End Museum
Duane Lucia / Executive Director of the West End Museum
FREE
26-Mile Bike Tour of the Middlesex Canal
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 9:30am – 4:00pm
@ West End Museum to Billerica
Bill Kuttner / Tour Guide
Participants responsible for one-way train fare
Billerica Day: Middlesex Canal Museum Visit
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 9:30am
@ West End Museum to Billerica
Duane Lucia / Coordinator
Participants responsible for round trip train fare
Children’s Workshop with Traci Jansen
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 12:30pm
@ West End Museum
Traci Jansen / Head of Children’s Programming at the
Middlesex Canal Museum
Ages 7-11 Years Old
FREE
"Common Boston: Walking Tour of the West End"
Saturday, Jun 18, 2011 at
@ West End Museum
Jim Campano / West End Museum Founder
FREE
2-mile Walking Tour of the Charlestown Mill Pond
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 6:30pm
@ Sullivan Square Station to West End Museum
Bill Kuttner / Tour Guide
FREE
Museum Talk: “A Longer Journey Than I ever Imagined”
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:30pm
@ West End Museum
Tom Raphael / Executive Committee Chairman
Middlesex Canal Commission
FREE
Film: “The Canal That Cut Boston In Two”
Friday, July 1, 2011 at 7:00pm
@ West End Museum
Roger Hagopian / Filmmaker
FREE
Lunch Hour Artist Talk: “The Incredible Ditch”
Friday, July 6, 2011 at 12:00pm
@ West End Museum
Tomas Dahill / Artist
FREE
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