Lowell, MA - Lowell National Historical Park canal boat tours move to daily operation rolling into the full summer season beginning June 20. The Park, one of over 390 units of the National Park Service, preserves and interprets the history of the American Industrial Revolution in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Park in historic downtown Lowell, Massachusetts includes former cotton textile mills, 5.6 miles of power canals, operating gatehouses, and worker housing.
Beginning June 27 through August 23 the schedule expands to seven tours each day. Reservations are required for all tours and can be made by calling 978-970-5000.
The descriptions of the canal boat tours, times, and fees for programs beginning June 27 are:
Harnessing the Merrimack Boat Tour
Enjoy a 2 hour ranger guided tour on Lowell’s canals locking at Guard Locks and visiting the Pawtucket Gatehouse. Offered daily at 10:00am & 1:30 pm. Fees: Adults, $8.00; Seniors/students, $7.00; youth (6 -16 years old), $6.00; Children 5 and under, free.
Run of the Mill Tour
Explore the role of water in shaping Lowell’s history while traveling bycanal boat up the Pawtucket Canal to Francis Gate. Also visits “The River Transformed" Exhibit at the Wannalancit Mills to investigate how water was harnessed for power. 2 hour tour offered daily at 12:00 & 3:00pm. Fees: Adults, $8.00; Seniors/students, $7.00; youth (6 -16 years old), $6.00; Children 5 and under, free.
Pawtucket to the River Tour
Travel by foot, trolley and boat along the Pawtucket Canal through Guard Locks to the Merrimack River. Discover how the demand for waterpower forever changed the river and the city of Lowell. 90 minute tour offered daily at 11:15am. Fees: Adults, $8.00; Seniors/students, $7.00; youth (6 -16 years old), $6.00; Children 5 and under, free.
Concord to the Merrimack Tour
Journey by canal boat along the entire length of the historic Pawtucket Canal. Travel from Lower Locks at the Concord River through Swamp Locks and Guard Locks to the Merrimack River. 2 hour tour offered 12:30 & 2:30 pm. Fees: Adults, $8.00; Seniors/students, $7.00; youth (6 -16 years old), $6.00; Children 5 and under, free.
The “Full Works" Tour
Explore the role of water in shaping Lowell’s history by boat, trolley and foot. Starting at Lower Locks, this tour goes through Swamp Locks and Guard Locks on the Pawtucket Canal traveling to the Merrimack River. Tour also visits Francis Gatehouse, Pawtucket Gatehouse, and “The River Transformed" Exhibit at the Wannalancit Mills to investigate how water was harnessed for power. 3 hour tour offered Sunday, July 12 & 19 at 2:30 pm and Sunday, August 9 & 16 at 2:30 pm. Fees: Adults: $10.00; Seniors: $9.00 (Ages 62+), Youths: $8.00 (Ages 6 -16), • Children: Free (Ages 5 and under).
Evening Cruise
Pack up a brown bag supper, join a National Park Service captain and park ranger for a relaxing evening cruise on the Merrimack River. Explore the Pawtucket Canal, the mill pond and the upstream section of
The river. Dine on the boat, check for wildlife, learn about early uses of the river, and take in the sights and sounds of this remarkable resource. No alcoholic beverages please. Regular fees apply. 2 hour tour offered Thursday, July 9, 16, 30, August 6, 13 & 20 at 6:00pm. Fees: Adults, $8.00; Seniors/students, $7.00; youth (6 -16 years old), $6.00; Children 5 and under, free.
Lowell National Park Visitor Offerings:
In addition to the boat tours and special events, Lowell National Historical Park offers the following opportunities to discover Lowell from June 27 through August 23:
Visitor Center
246 Market Street
9:00 am - 5:30 pm, Daily.
9:00 am - 6:30 pm, Thursdays
Begin your visit at the Visitor Center in Market Mills, the former Bigelow Carpet Company complex, one of the city’s original textile mills. At the Visitor Center, you can plan your exploration of the major park sites and the city’s rich industrial past. Here “Lowell: the Industrial Revelation", an award -winning multimedia presentation, is available introducing visitors to the story of how people, technology, and capital came together to revolutionize textile production-and a way of life-in Lowell and other American cities. Make reservations for park tours and other programs; visit the Children’s Corner, sign up for the Junior Ranger Program, and shop in the Museum Store. Learn about Lowell’s many cultural institutions and the diverse array of special events that celebrate the city’s rich ethnic heritage. Free admission.
Boott Cotton Mills Museum,
115 John Street
9:30 am - 5:00 pm, Daily.
Don’t miss the roar of a 1920s weave room with operating power looms! The park’s primary exhibit includes the weave room and interactive exhibits and video programs about the Industrial Revolution, labor, and the rise, fall, and rebirth of Lowell. See insert for seasonal hours. Fees: Adults, $6.00; Youths, 6 -16 & Students $3.00; Senior Discount; Children 5 and under, free. Call to inquire about special group rates.
Mill Girls & Immigrants Exhibit,
4o French Street
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Daily.
Explore the history of “mill girls" and immigrants in a Boott Mills boardinghouse. The Mill Girls & Immigrants Exhibit, located in the Mogan Cultural Center, tells the human story of the Industrial Revolution by concentrating on the working people of Lowell. Free admission.
Additional guided Tours
Views of Lowell Trolley Tour
10:30 pm, Daily.
Join a park ranger to discover intriguing locations and stories of Lowell. You may learn about the downtown locks and canal structures; explore the relationship of the river to the power and production of the industrial city; or learn about the lives of Lowell’s famous “mill girls." Tour travels primarily by trolley although there may be some walking. Free.
TROLLEYS
Historic replica trolleys operate daily carrying visitors from the Visitor Center to the Boott Mills. Schedules vary; please check for the trolley schedule at the Visitor Center Desk. Free.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
