March 12 – June 30, 2017
Augusta Canal Discovery Center and Petersburg Boat tours resume seven-day-week operation beginning April 1.  Canal offerings include daily boat tours, Friday Moonlight Music Cruises and a monthly Sunset cruises to the Headgates at Savannah Rapids.  Returning for a second year are free Saturday waterside yoga classes, beginning May 6.  Free trail talks of a variety topics round out the schedule.

SPECIAL

National Park Week
April 15-16 and 22-23
As a National Heritage Area, Augusta Canal is one of the 401 units of our country’s National Park System. To celebrate, the Augusta Canal Discovery Center offers free admission on two weekends, April 15-16 an 22-23 (boat tour tickets not included.)

Waterside Yoga from the Yoga Center
Saturdays, May 6 through June 30, 9 a.m.
Lake Olmstead Trailhead, 0 Milledge Road
Free

Certified instructors from The Yoga Center lead the class through simple stretches and postures, appropriate for anyone during these 45 minute classes overlooking the Canal at the new Lake Olmstead trailhead building.  Free, donations accepted.

Book Signing- Meet Local Authors
Tuesday, May 16, 4-7 p.m.
Canal Discovery Center gift shop, 1450 Greene Street

Mix and mingle with several authors recently published books of local interest including  Billie Coleman, author of Arcadia Publishing’s “Central Georgia Textile Mills,” as well as  Tom Robertson, Sid Mullis, and Janis Ann Parks . Drinks and light appetizers provided. The event is free, but anyone joining the Augusta Canal Keepers Society at the $100 level will receive a complimentary copy of Coleman’s book. 
Free.

DAILY
Canal Discovery Center
Enterprise Mill, 1450 Greene Street, Suite 400, Augusta GA 30901
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5p.m. Sunday.  Free admission with all boat tours or $6 adults/$4 senior, student, military.
Interactive exhibits on history of Augusta Canal housed in the historic Enterprise Mill includes movies, displays and a working hydroelectric station.

Petersburg Boat Tours

History and Nature Tour
View historic landmarks, watch for wildlife and learn the history of Augusta Canal on this hour-long tour. 10 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. Mon-Sat.; 3 p.m. Mon.- Sun.; $14 adult, $12 senior, military, student.

Augusta & the Civil War - Food, Fabric and Firepower
Daily at 1:30 p.m., this hour-length tour shares the behind-the-lines story of the Confederate Powder Works and Augusta’s role in supplying the Southern troops during the Civil War. $14 adult, $12 senior, military, student.

WEEKLY

Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruises

Live performances aboard the canal’s Petersburg boats feature an array of musicians and musical styles Fridays evenings April through June. Passengers may bring aboard refreshments of their choice. Music Cruises last approximately an hour and half and depart from the docks at Enterprise Mill.  Tickets $25 per seat., $23 senior 60+, military, student.  Reservations required. 706-823-0440 x 4 or online augustacanal.com

MONTHLY/ Semi-MONTHLY

Saturday Sunset Cruise

The full-length canal cruise from Enterprise Mill to the Headgates is offered the third Saturday April, May and June. Passengers are invited to bring along snacks and beverages of their choice.  April 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; May 20, 7-9 p.m.; June 17,  7-9 $25 adult, $23 senior, military or student.

Canal Trail Talks

Explore the historic and natural surroundings of the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area on Trail Talks conducted by subject-matter specialists. The twice-monthly walks on Sundays at 3 p.m. start from various Canal locations and last about an hour.  Walks are free, but donations are accepted.  (The schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.) For more information call 706-823-0440 extension 2.

March 12, 3 p.m.

“Tour of 1875 Gatehouse”            

Topic: Tour the inside of the 1875 Canal Gatehouse at Savannah Rapids Park

Much of Augusta’s drinking water passes the through the headgates of Augusta Canal. Learn how these historic structures, built more than 140 years ago, still serve us. And you’ll get a rare tour inside the gatehouse itself.

Talk Leader: Engineer Pete Hughes, member of Augusta Canal Authority

Meeting Point:  Savannah Rapids Park at Old Dance Pavilion, lower level near restrooms. 3300 Evans to Locks Rd.  Evans, GA.
Fee: Free, donations accepted

March 26, 3 p.m.
“Inside Sutherland Mill: Past & Present”

Topic: The History and Repurpose of Sutherland Mill.  Now the home of a large medical practice, the Sutherland served several functions during the heyday of Augusta’s textile boom. 

Talk Leader:  Ralph Kitchens and  ACNHA Staff Member

Meeting Point: Sutherland Mill Entrance, 720 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta GA 30901

Fee: Free, donations accepted

April 23, 3 p.m.
“The Moving Story of Christ Church, 1882”          

Topic: Christ Church, Post-Civil War Harrisburg Episcopal Church.  This charming church building was the original Church of the Good Shepard, then moved to its present location to be of service to the Harrisburg community.  

Speaker:  Buddy Peacock, local historian and longtime church member

Meeting point: Front door of the church, 1904 Greene Street at Eve Street

Fee: Free, donations accepted

May 7, 3 p.m.

“Sibley Soilworks ... Building Soil to GROW Harrisburg”

Topic:  New composting area on the Augusta Canal.  An innovative plan to turn water weeds gleaned from the canal into healthy soil additions for the neighborhoods growing crop of community gardens and gardeners.

Talk Leader:  Kim Hines, Augusta Locally Grown

Meeting point: Mill Village Trailhead, 101 Eve St.

Fee: Free, donations accepted

May 21, 3 p.m. 

“Canal Living at Enterprise Mill”               

Topic: Tour mill apartments and learn the history of Enterprise Mill 1877.

Talk/Leader: Dean Gustafson. Long-time Enterprise Mill resident and canal boat captain will share the story of the Enterprise from its beginnings as a 19^th century mill to its modern- day multiple uses, including a peak into his apartment.

Meeting Point:  Enterprise Mill, 1450 Greene St- South Entrance facing St. Sebastian Way

Fee: Free, donations accepted