Cumberland: Canal History and Railroad Heritage

For a stay in Cumberland, historic transportation routes and the town’s history take center stage. In downtown, the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Towpath meet. The Great Allegheny Passage runs for over 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. Museums, a visitor center, railroad heritage, and cultural venues round out this look at Cumberland and give you a range of starting points for planning your trip.

Trails and the History of the C&O Canal

The Cumberland Terminus Visitor Center is located at Mile 184.5 on the C&O Canal Towpath in Allegany County, Maryland. The Cumberland Visitor Center is housed in the Western Maryland Railway station. Interactive exhibits there present the history of the C&O Canal and Cumberland. This lets you encounter the history of the canal and the town both on the towpath and in an exhibit.

At the Allegany Museum, the “Crossroads of America” exhibit traces the history of human movement through Cumberland and Allegany County. The transportation exhibit complements the theme with scale models of canal boats and trains, as well as a fully restored 1825 Conestoga wagon. The glassware exhibit focuses on a different subject: it presents examples from various companies and provides an overview of the glassware industry in the county.

Museums, Architecture, and Culture

The C. William Gilchrist Gallery & Museum is a restored 1845 mansion in the Federal Creek Revival style. The property includes changing art exhibitions, an art library, and landscaped gardens. The Embassy Theatre offers another way to explore Cumberland’s cultural history: originally built as a movie theater in 1931 during the Great Depression, it now serves as a historic center for live performing arts in downtown.

The Cumberland Station of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad also has designated historic status: it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A ride on a historic train begins in Cumberland at the historic Western Maryland Railway station in the 58-acre Canal Place Heritage Park. If you plan to take such a ride, check the schedule in advance.

Events and Different Travel Interests

Cumberland’s signature Heritage Days festival brings together history, art, crafts, festival food, and activities for children. At the event on September 12 and 13, 2026, reproductions of Washington’s Revolutionary War command tents were set up on the Canal Place Festival Lawn. This example shows how a specific program brings historical themes into an event setting.

When planning your stay, you can first consider whether you would most like to discover Cumberland through its trail connections, exhibits, railroad history, or cultural program. If you’re looking for a hotel in Cumberland, this focus can help you structure your trip without presupposing a particular accommodation or amenities.

Discover more destinations: La Vale, Barton and Frostburg.

For the broader travel overview: Allegany.