%xmlchars; ]> ms2076 Guide to the Walter L. Meseck papers, 1967-1995 Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2005

2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu

Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2005 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Walter L. Meseck Papers, 1967-1995 MS2076 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Processed by: Special Collections Staff, 2006 Encoded by: Jennifer King, 2006

Descriptive Summary Meseck, Walter L. Walter L. Meseck papers, 1967-1995 MS2076 0.5 Linear feet Collection contains materials related to the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, primarily after it became a national park in 1971. All materials cover the time span from 1967 to 1995, and all relate directly to the C&O Canal. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center

2130 H. St. NW Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email:

English Information for Users Preferred citation

Walter L. Meseck papers, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Acquisition Information

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Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Historical or Biographical Note

Walter L. Meseck has hiked and biked the length of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC, a distance of 184.5 miles. He first biked the canal path in the early 1960s. Meseck hiked the C&O Canal on foot for the first time in 1979 as a member of the C&O Canal Association, a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the canal, during the Justice William O. Douglas anniversary hike. During the 1984 Justice William O. Douglas anniversary hike, he hiked the portion of the trail from Williamsport, MD to Washington, DC.

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains materials related to the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, primarily after it became a national park in 1971. All materials cover the time span from 1967 to 1995, and all relate directly to the C&O Canal.

Collection Organization

Organized in one series.

Subject Terms Individuals Meseck, Walter L. Corporate Entities Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association Topics Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Md. and Washington, D.C.) Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Geographic Locations Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Md. and Washington, D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records 1 1 Letter from Bruce Wood, hike committee chairman, to Walter L. Meseck, 02/07/1979 1 2 Thirteen page document, a collection of day-to-day logs for the Justice Douglas through hike, 04/16/1979-04/28/1979 1 3 Itinerary, Justice Douglas through hike, 04/16/1979-04/28/1979 1 4 Two copies of the flyer, "C&O Canal Association 25th Anniversary Hike", 04/15/1979-04/28/1979 1 5 Two page (on single sheet) hand-written list of participants in Justice Douglas through hike, 04/16/1979-04/28/1979 1 6 One page paper, "Breakdown of Statistics for C&O Canal Towpath Hike", 04/16/1979-04/28/1979 1 7 Two page paper, "1979 Hike reunion Song", 1979 1 8 Invitation to "C&O Canal Hikers of ’79 Reunion Time" by Dale Jackson, with attachment: map with directions, titled "C&O Hikers", 09/22/1979 1 9 Papers, "Guide to the Geology and Engineering of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Seneca to Carderock" by W.E. & G.H. Davies, undated 1 10 Publication, "Alexandria Canal, " with insert: flyer, "The Wabash and Erie Canal", undated 1 11 Form, "Reservation for the 1980 Reunion Hike, with attachment: "Along the Towpath", 04/1980 1 12 C&O Canal Association brochure, undated 1 13 Letter "To Whom It May Concern" from Walter L. Meseck,including a list of archival items donated to the archives, 04/24/1995 1 14 Publication, "C&O Canal National Historical Park Visitor Information", 08/1978 1 15 "The Towline", 1978 1 16 Two copies of publication, "A Collection of Maps of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal", 1967 1 17 Letter from Walter Meseck to Dave Johnson with attachment: two copies of article "Obligations of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal", 02/1994-04/14/1994 1 18 Article, "’84 Down . . .", by Arnold S. Platou, Hagerstown Herald Mail, 04/22/1984 1 19 Article, "An Anniversary Hike Among the Blubells" by paul Hodge, Washington Post, 04/20/1979 1 20 Article, "Hike for History" by Jay Votel, as well as "Canal Boat Song" by Sigurd Olsen and Merlo Pusey, and "A Canal Chronology" Hagerstown Herald mail, 04/22/1984 1 21 Article, "Canal Hikers Stop At Brunswick" Brunswick Citizen, 04/26/1979 1 22 Newspaper photograph with caption, showing Tom Han at MP 1, C&O Canal towpath, 04/1979 1 23 Article, "Hikers Brave Cold Winds On Canal" by Paul Hodge, Washington Post, 04/19/1979 1 24 Small format color photo of Walter L. Meseck at MP 0.0, Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984 1 25 Small format color photo of Walter Meseck and Bill and Jan Prutting at MP 0.0., Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984 1 26 Small format color photo of Walter Meseck and Jan Prutting, MP 0.0, Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984 1 27 Four-by-six photo of Walter Meseck on towpath near Key Bridge, Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984 1 28 Four-by-six color photo of Walter L. Meseck on C&O Canal towpath opposite Canal Road in Washington, DC, Justice Douglas through-hike, 04/1984 1 29 Four-by-six color photo of Walter L. Meseck on the C&O Canal towpath opposite Canal Road in Washington, DC, Justice Douglas through-hike, 04/1984 1 30 Four-by-six photo of Walter Meseck and Jan Prutting on towpath near Key Bridge, Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984 1 31 Four-by-six color photo of Walter L. Meseck and his niece (Jan Prutting) on the C&O Canal towpath opposite Canal Road in Road in Washington, DC, Justice Douglas through-hike, 04/1984 1 32 Black-and-white 8x10 photo of Walter Meseck and Emmie Johns (now Woodward) on Potomac River shoreline, Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1979 1 33 Black-and-white 8x10 photo of hikers at beginning of Douglas Reunion Hike, Cumberland, 04/1979 1 34 Eight color slides, Justice Douglas Reunion Hike, 04/1984