2025 has been a stressful year for the Canal Corridor Association as we depend upon federal money from the National Park Service to fulfill the mission for the I&M Canal National Heritage Area (IMCNHA), the nation’s first national heritage area.
It started in January with the federal government not releasing the funding, which was already in the annual budget. In March, without those funds available, we were preparing to close the Visitor Center doors and suspend the booking of the I&M Canal Boat. Fortunately, 45% of our Congressionally approved federal funds were released the day before we were set to stop operations. We had cut back severely in January, so now we had enough funds to keep the Visitor Center open and the boat running until the end of September. It was a relief as we had more than 70 groups booked to visit both venues!
We are grateful for all the donors who sent additional donations or their usual donations early! We also received post cards thanking us for our work.
As we were planning our next 6 months of “just hanging on,” the US Congress passed a continuing resolution at the end of March to fund the government, which included the IMCNHA. However, no one in the US Congress or the National Park Service could tell us if or when the money would indeed be released.
This led us to decide that we should go back to being a “history” organization and not a “tourist” organization—at least until we can figure out how to find stable funding on a regular basis. Running the I&M Canal Boat requires significant time management as well as the ability to purchase advertising and book tours up to a year in advance—both impossible without a stable funding source. So, after 17 years, we decided that it was time to let someone else run the canal boat. The good news is we have several organizations interested in buying the Volunteer.
Another piece of good news is the re-publication of “Passage To Chicago,” written and illustrated by Tom Willcockson. This unique book vividly describes life on the canal, woven together with descriptive prose and colorful pictures. You can view and purchase the book here >
Since the Canal Corridor Association was designated as the catalyst for the corridor, we have adapted and evolved fluidly to fulfill our mission, always gathering, leading, learning, and telling the stories of the canal. History is immersive, whether you read it, write about it, act it out, share it, or live it, like Jr. Rangers, our young stewards for the future. In short, what we do best is immersive history.
We are not entirely sure what 2026 will bring, but you can be sure that after 44 years, the Canal Corridor Association is not giving up. Over those years, the IMCNHA has needed many sources of assistance to make the historic, cultural, and natural resources better.
Your continued financial support is now more important than ever as we start a new chapter in this special place. Please donate here >
We are developing plans for enhancing our Jr. Ranger program, reaching a bigger audience, telling more canal stories, and assisting the outstanding local organizations from Chicago to LaSalle/Peru–all to make the I&M Canal NHA a better place to live, work, and visit. But we can’t do this without you.
With gratitude,
Ana Koval
President
Canal Corridor Association
