The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor has been awarded two substantial grants from agencies of the federal government to support the work of its signature program, the National Canal Museum.

These grants will enable the museum to expand its efforts to preserve and share the region’s nationally significant transportation and industrial heritage.

The D&L is among the 126 national beneficiaries to receive a Museums for America grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services this year.

The D&L has also been awarded one of 305 National Endowment for the Humanities Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan grants to help the National Canal Museum recover from the negative economic impact incurred during the pandemic.

The funding will support the museum’s efforts to incorporate more diverse stories into its exhibitions, programs, and communications.

In particular, the grant will support the development of next year’s special exhibition: “Beyond Rosie and Rivets: Industrial Women in the D&L Corridor” and research into the roles of African-Americans in the D&L Corridor, particularly in regard to the region’s anthracite canals and related industries.

“We are so honored to be awarded these grants and to be recognized at the federal level for the National Canal Museum’s work to highlight our region’s amazing industrial and transportation history,” says Daphne Mayer, Museum & Education Director for the D&L.

“Through these grants, we are looking forward to discovering and sharing the untold stories of the wide variety of people who helped spark the American Industrial Revolution in what is now the D&L Corridor.”