The Middletown Historical Society Canal Museum Is in Maryland, Not Ohio

Despite the name, the Middletown Historical Society Canal Museum is located in Middletown, Maryland—not Ohio. It sits in Frederick County, along the historic Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal corridor.

What the Museum Covers

The museum interprets the history of the C&O Canal (operational 1831–1924, 184.5 miles from Georgetown, D.C. to Cumberland, MD), the communities it served, and the canal's role in regional development. Exhibits include canal boat models, tools, photographs, and documents. The Middletown Historical Society operates it, often with limited hours (weekends, by appointment).

Why the Confusion?

• Middletown, Ohio exists (Butler County, near Dayton) and has its own historical society—but no canal museum. The Miami and Erie Canal passed through the region, but the museum is not there.
• Multiple Middletowns: 30+ U.S. towns named Middletown. The Maryland one is on the C&O Canal; the Ohio one is on the Great Miami River.
• C&O Canal vs. Ohio canals: Different systems, different states, different preservation efforts.

Visiting the Maryland Museum

Address: 302 West Main Street, Middletown, MD 21769 (in the historic district).
Nearby: C&O Canal towpath access (Mile 44.5), South Mountain, Appalachian Trail (5 mi), Antietam Battlefield (15 mi).
Hours: Typically Saturdays 10–2, or by appointment. Check Middletown Historical Society website or Facebook before visiting.

If you're in Ohio seeking canal history, try the Canal Museum at Providence Metropark (Grand Rapids, OH — Miami & Erie Canal) or the Ohio & Erie Canalway visitor centers (Cleveland to Tuscarawas County).