Third Graders Travel Through History with Immersive Canal Bicentennial Field Trip

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Miami & Erie Canal in Middletown, every third-grade student across Middletown City Schools participated in a districtwide field trip that brought local history to life. The immersive experience introduced students to the rich heritage of the canal that once served as a vital transportation and economic artery through Ohio.

The idea for the field trip was spearheaded by the Canal Days Taskforce, a partnership between the Middletown Historical Society and Downtown Middletown Inc. (DMI). The goal was to offer students a meaningful, hands-on journey into Middletown’s historical connection to the canal system. Third grade was chosen specifically to align with Ohio’s academic content standards, which include the study of local history at that grade level.

Before stepping onto the bus, students engaged in a robust classroom introduction to the canals, thanks to an educational slideshow created by Mary Johnson and Sam Ashworth. The slideshow featured rare historical photographs and fascinating facts about canal life in the 1800s. Students explored how and why the canal began in Middletown, how canals and locks were built and functioned, and how the canal played a pivotal role in Middletown’s economic and population boom. Classroom activities extended the learning experience with hands-on projects, including building miniature canals and water wheels, and even learning the classic folk tune “15 Miles on the Erie Canal.” Third graders at Creekview Elementary went a step further by creating animations to accompany the song’s lyrics.

The field trip included visits to several historic and cultural landmarks tied to Middletown’s canal legacy. Students visited the Canal First Dig Boulder Monument, marking the site where canal construction commenced two centuries ago. 

The tour continued to the Excello Lock and Hydraulic Canal, the first lock completed on the Miami & Erie Canal. There, students explored the engineering marvels that moved canal boats through the changing elevations of Ohio’s landscape and learned about the role that water-powered industry played in the region’s development.

At the Port Middletown Mural and Water Art Installation, students encountered the vibrant, visual retelling of Middletown’s canal era. Students also visited the Middletown Historical Society, where they viewed a historic film of the 1929 Canal Closing Day Parade, a significant event marking the end of an era. The parade, the largest in Middletown’s history, featured elaborate floats and tributes to the canal’s impact on the city.

The field trip concluded at the Canal Museum, home to a replica Locktender’s house. Here, students stepped into the past, experiencing the daily routines and responsibilities of those who kept canal operations running smoothly. 

“Learning about our local history is not just an academic standard, but allows students to appreciate local landmarks and sites, learn about challenges faced by past residents, and helps students connect with the place they call home,” Tracy Neeley, the district’s K–5 Curriculum Coordinator, who helped organize the trip, said.

The field trip would not have been possible without the dedicated support of the Middletown Historical Society, Downtown Middletown Inc., MidPointe Library, and the district’s School Resource Officers, who helped ensure a safe and enriching experience for every student.

The event exemplifies Middletown City Schools’ commitment to experiential learning, community partnerships, and fostering pride in our city’s heritage.