Georgia's National Park Service Augusta Canal Field Trips - Understanding that field trip funding is precious and that opportunities outside the classroom are valuable, the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area hired award-winning educators to create complete, Standards-based lesson plans, offering you and your students the best educational experience possible -- one that is unique yet affordable. Stay and Play in GA!
Unforgettable Field Trips
Lessons for students from pre-K to high school include pre and post visit classroom activities and are tied to the latest Georgia and South Carolina educational performance standards in history, geography, economics and language arts. (Coming in 2009-Science and Math Lessons)
The interactive Canal Interpretive Center stimulates visual, auditory, verbal and kinesthetic learning. Students experience what life was like in the late 19th Century and the importance of visionary thinkers and entrepreneurs in the development of American post civil war industrial centers. The story of the Augusta Canal really comes to life on Petersburg Boat Tours where students see the sights of the Canal firsthand. Canal Education Programs includes pre and post visit activities, useful web links, and a reading list for further exploration.
Museum
At the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Interpretive Center at Enterprise Mill, you will learn the stories of people, progress and promise of a unique piece of American history. The Canal Interpretive Center that tells the story of how a city used its waterways to reinvent itself and define its destiny. The Center has been developed by the Augusta Canal Authority in partnership with the National Park Service. Orientation Film: "The Power of A Canal"
An fascinating 10-minute film is shown at intervals in the state-of-the art surround-sound theater just off the lobby. It sets the stage for your Interpretive Center experiences.
Exhibits
The Hydropower Demonstration Turbine
The waters of the Augusta Canal surge through this demonstration turbine, creating hydro-mechanical power which drives the line shaft mounted on the ceiling. The paddle fan above the gift shop operates directly from the line shaft power.
Braving the Rapids - the Petersburg Boat
•Petersburg Boat Captain and cargo
Building the Canal
•Augusta Before the Canal •Henry Cumming, Canal Visionary •How the Canal was Built
How the Canal Works
•Canal Model •Transportation •Water Works •Waterpower
Augusta Canal Interpretive Center At Enterprise Mill
Mill & Boom Times
•Augusta's Industrial Triumph •From Cotton to Cloth •How It's Done-weaving process and looms
•Working the Mill-mill work and a mill workers •Wartime Industry-serving the Confederacy
•Pride of the South
Hydroelectricity and the Canal
•The City Electric •Electrifying Enterprise Mill •The Penstock •How Hydroelectricity Works
Boat Parties and Picnics
•Leisure and the Canal Workers' Life •The Company House-Living in the Factory District
•Eviction •Labor vs. Management
New Waters, New Life--The Canal in the 20th Century
•Floods and Fires •What happened to the mills •The last days of Enterprise Mill
•The Canal-neglect and decline •Return to the Waters •The Canal and River Today
•Augusta Happenings
Address: 1450 Greene St, Suite 400, Augusta, GA 30901 Phone: 706-823-0440- ext. 4
Planning Your Trip
A typical field trip includes both the Interpretive Center and Boat, (allow about 2.5-3 hours):
• Arrive and check in at the Interpretive Center
• Tour the Interpretive Center for approx. 45 minutes, including 10 minute orientation movie
• Board the boat
• Tour canal aboard a Petersburg boat for approximately 30 - 45 minutes*
• Return to Enterprise Mill where students may have refreshments or sack lunch under the outdoor picnic shelter.
Suggested times Morning Mid-day
•Arrive 9:30 and 11:30 •Tour Center 9:30-10:15 and 11:30-12:15
•Boarding 10:15-10:30 and 12:15-12:30 •Boat Tour 10:30-11:20 and 12:30-1:20
•Lunch or Snack 11:30 and 1:30 •Depart 12:30 and 2:30
Group sizes
Minimum group size is 20 students. Each of the two Petersburg tour boat can hold a maximum of 49 passengers (students and adults). For large classes, we typically split the group, allowing the half to tour the center while the other rides the boat, then switch.
*Note: While on the boat all children under age 10 must wear life jackets , which are provided. The crew will assist chaperones in outfitting all children prior to departure.
Augusta Canal Visit Rules and Regulations
•No gasoline-powered motor craft in the canal •No swimming
•No horses or off-road vehicles (ATVs)
•Bicycles yield to pedestrians. All yield to official government vehicles
•Pets must be on a leash. •Don't feed the alligators or other wildlife.
•No alcohol, firearms, bows/arrows or radios in Canal Park
•Pack it in. Pack it out. Please do not litter.
WARNING: River rocks are slick and Savannah River current is deceptively violent and subject to sudden increases due to releases from upstream dams. WEAR A LIFEJACKET when boating on the river or canal
2008-09 Fees
$7 per student. One chaperone free per five students. Additional chaperones $7 per person. School bus drivers are admitted free of charge.
Contact and Address Info
Phone: 706-823-0440 ext. 4, 800-659-8926 Address: 1450 Greene Street, Suite 400, Augusta, GA 30901
Directions
From I-20: I-20 to Exit 200-Riverwatch Parkway. Left on Riverwatch approx. 5 miles to 13th Street. Right on 13th Street (0.1 mi.)
to Greene Street. Right on Greene (0.3 mi.) to Enterprise Mill.
From Riverwalk area/Cotton Exchange: Reynolds Street westbound to 13th Street. Turn Left. At 2nd traffic light, turn right. Travel approximately 0.3 miles to Enterprise Mill
Entrance on West (far) side of Mill
Interesting Augusta Canal Facts
Congress has established 40 National Heritage Areas around the country in which conservation, interpretation and other activities are managed by partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and the private sector.
History 
