The Schuylkill Navigation is the 108 mile long chain of dams and canals that brought literally millions of tons of anthracite coal down from Schuylkill County to tidewater at Philadelphia. Started in 1815-1825, it ended early in the 20th century. 

In conjunction with this talk, view material about the Schuylkill Navigation Canal System from the Government Publication holdings. 

Oliver Evans Chapter Member Mike Szilagyi, AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), plans and designs pedestrian and bicycle facilities at Michael Baker International. His decades devoted to planning Pennsylvania’s bicycle trail network yield the added benefit of a deep knowledge of the long-forgotten web of former railroad and canal rights-of-way built before the automobile came to dominate the landscape. In many cases, abandoned railroad and trolley track-beds may be repurposed as rails-to-trails, and so returned to their roles as avenues of clean congestion-free transportation. A lifelong cyclist, author of Bucks County Trolleys (2020) and co-author of Montgomery County Trolleys (2018), Szilagyi resides in North Wales, Pennsylvania where he serves on the borough Historic Commission board.

Since its inception in 1984, the Oliver Evans Chapter has promoted interest in the development of industry in Philadelphia and the surrounding region and its impact on people. Their enthusiasms are shared at group meetings and on tours to industrial sites to view manufacturing processes or other aspects of industrial development. 

Unable to attend in person? Join us virtually via Zoom. Register here.

This program is being offered in particiation with the Special Collections Division. 

Wednesday, April 9 |   6:00 p.m.   |  Room 108