GROUP TOURS

Bus and Group Tours

Bus driver smiling in a red and white bus. The bus is parked outdoors on a gray surface.

Please call to set up your docent-led tours for a Monday thru Thursday (March through Thanksgiving) visit. Larger groups will be split up into rotating smaller groups. Group tours are priced at $5 per person with a maximum of 60 people.

Please contact Joanne Healey for more information or reservation -

info@thelockhousemuseum.org

410-939-5780

school Tours

MUSEUM LED TOURS

The Lock House Museum is ideal for children from 3rd grade and up. In the museum, the students will learn about early American transportation history and life as a canal tender in the 1850s; what life was like as an adult and as a child, the kind of home they lived in, and the tools that they used are topics discussed. The real prize of the museum is the scale model of the lock. The students will see how the lock either fills or empties as boats travel through. They will learn the historic significance of the canal system for moving commerce through the waters of Maryland and Pennsylvania to get their cargo to the big port cities of Baltimore and Philadelphia. And, weather permitting, students will get the chance to move the swing bridge outside.

Joe K. Trail Guided Tour/non-guided (optional)

This trail loops from the Lock House Museum for about 1.5 miles and takes you over several foot bridges where you can explore the natural environment and history of the area under a mostly tree-lined canopy. Trail option is weather permitting (that includes extreme heat, cold, rain or other acts of nature) and proper footwear and clothing are required. The use of sprays or lotions to guard against ticks or mosquitoes is highly recommended.

Children and an older man look at a model river landscape in a museum, focused on a boat.

cost :

All schools are $5/student. Teachers and chaperones are free of charge.

frequently asked questions

  • WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE FOR A TOUR?

    The museum can accommodate up to 40 people total (including students and adults) per reservation. Groups will be split into two rotating stations of 20—one for the lock model and one for the outdoor demonstration. If your group exceeds 40 people, you’ll need to make additional reservations.

  • IS THERE A REQUIRED NUMBER OF CHAPERONES?

    Yes. We require a minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 8 students to ensure a safe and organized visit.

  • HOW LONG DOES A TYPICAL TOUR LAST?

    Please plan for your visit to take approximately 1.5 hours, including both indoor and outdoor activities.

  • WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR IF WE PLAN TO WALK THE JOE K. TRAIL LOOP?

    If your group is walking the Joe K. Loop Trail, please dress appropriately for the weather. The trail can be muddy, cold, or windy, especially along the river.

  • CAN WE BRING LUNCH AND EAT ON-SITE?

    Yes! Groups are welcome to bring sack lunches and enjoy them on the museum grounds. Please note that there are no indoor or covered eating areas, but there are two picnic tables, several benches, and plenty of open lawn space.