Bethel Light House

In October 1996, the district added a full-sized replica of the 30-foot Bethel Bridge Lighthouse to the museum’s inventory. The reconstruction was sponsored by the Chesapeake City, Maryland Lions Club. The original lighthouse was one of many wooden structures used to warn vessels of locks and bridges prior to the 1927 canal modifications, which transformed the waterway into a sea-level canal. The replica is located on Corps property, just a short walk from the museum. The admission-free museum is open year-round, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also maintains the Canal Museum at Chesapeake City, offering visitors a glimpse into the canal’s early history. The original pump house, now part of the museum, still houses the waterwheel and steam-powered pumping engines—the oldest of their kind in America still resting on their original foundations. Additional artifacts and exhibits throughout the museum illustrate the development and significance of the canal. In March 1996, a $400,000 renovation project was completed, enhancing both the exterior and interior of the museum. Improvements included access ramps and a restroom for physically challenged visitors. New features also include interactive videos and a television monitor that displays real-time ship locations as they travel through the canal. 

Bethel Rd Chesapeake City, MD (410) 885-5622