Preservation. Education. Recreation.
Serving the community and preserving history
Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, registered in 1974 to preserve the historic Wabash & Erie Canal in Delphi as a significant part of Indiana’s history. The founding members were driven to save the only remaining publicly accessible, watered portion of the canal in Indiana for educational and recreational purposes.
Located in the City of Delphi, this three-mile section of the canal was once part of the longest man-made waterway in the Western Hemisphere and the second-longest transportation canal in human history at 468 miles. It operated from approximately 1832-1876 and stretched from Toledo, Ohio to Evansville, Indiana.
The Conference & Interpretive Center and Canal Park
Located at 1030 N. Washington Street in Delphi, Indiana, Wabash & Erie Canal Park showcases Indiana’s Canal Era. Our main building is the Conference & Interpretive Center, modeled after downtown Delphi’s appearance during the heyday of the canal.
The west end of the Canal Center features a world-class interactive museum that invites children and adults to be hands-on with history. The twelve galleries depict the Canal Era from early statehood to construction, operation, and its eventual closure. After its completion in 2004, the museum was named the best new volunteer-driven museum in the United States by the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH).
The Canal Center is also a community hub for important events like weddings, business meetings, and local gatherings. The east end of the Canal Center houses a 4,300 square foot reception hall for such events. The central portion of the building contains the lobby and front desk, offices, and our archives department.
Elsewhere in Wabash & Erie Canal Park, you will find The Delphi, our replica canal boat, offering rides during Canal Season or private tours. The engaging 1850’s Pioneer Village features artisans for Canal Season and private tours as well. There are miles of historic trails to explore, and even RV camping, primitive camping, and rustic cabins to rent!
meet our Staff
While we are a volunteer-driven organization, we have a small staff that helps keep the park running year-round.
Mike Tetrault
Executive Director
Sara Lantzer
RESERVATIONS MANAGER
jerry Martin
GROUNDSKEEPING
Meet our Board Members
Janet Ayres
President
Linda Cooper
Vice president
Bill Lapcheska
treasurer
karen Bradshaw
secretary
Dan McCain
President emeritus
Mac Carlisle
m-w-f crew leader
John Polles
CANAL BOAT CAPTAIN
Becky Crabb
PROGRAMS CHAIR
Gregg Bruce
TRAIL TEAM LEADER
hannah Gibson
BOARD MEMBER
Beverly Seese
board member
Dale De Young
board member
our mission
Mission Statement
Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation formed to preserve portions of the Wabash & Erie Canal and educate the public by:
- Developing education, recreation and preservation programs relevant to the Canal and other related sites
- Acquiring and preserving portions of the canal bed, towpath, bridges, locks, adjoining land, physical assets and artifacts and other related historic features of the canal
- Encouraging restoration and development of the Wabash & Erie Canal and associated sites
- Offering on-site and printed opportunities for the public to learn about the canal and related period history
- Working with other local and regional organizations to further common goals
Vision Statement
The Canal Association continues to find and preserve artifacts, acquire new lands and expand its educational offerings through new exhibits in conjunction with a Conference and Interpretive Center building and unique attractions in keeping with the canal era that will further identify the Canal Center as an outstanding source of canal history and an exciting location for visitors of all ages.