Lowell National Historical Park

Millions of dollars are flowing to the National Park System for work on aging roads and multiple-use trails in need of some TLC, and transportation systems thanks to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks program overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Electricity might not immediately come to mind in terms of connecting today's younger generations with the national parks, but that was the key in at least one instance involving a Massachusetts teen and Virgin Islands National Park.

Water helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in Lowell, Masschusetts, in the early 1800s, providing a means of generating power for the textile mills there. Today you can float the canals that leveraged the hydropower during weekend tours at Lowell National Historical Park.

Stop by Lowell National Historical Park in Massachusetts any weekend in January and you'll be able to join a guided tour to learn more about the early history of the country's industrialization.

Can you imagine what would be missing in the national parks if not for partnerships forged with non-profit groups?

A new book has arrived that delves into the unique canal system that powered 19th Century Lowell, Massachusetts' industrial sector. What does that have to do with national parks? If you're familiar with the Lowell National Historical Park, you know the answer to that question.

Lowell National Historical Park tells the story of the farm-to-factory transition, immigrant and labor history, and the emergence of America’s industrial technology. Key attractions include a cotton mill museum, boarding houses, guided tours, special programs, and canal boat rides.