Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Almost 2011

Christmas has come and gone, and now we're preparing for a new year! Everyone at the Museum is excited to see what 2011 will bring. We have plans for a great year with plenty of exciting events. Our upcoming January event is the Night at the Museum. For one night only the Museum will come to life! Meet and talk to characters from history, play games, make crafts, and much more. This will be a great event for all ages, with plenty to do for everyone, so bring the family and make a night of it. Tickets are on sale now, and you can get them at the Museum, or reserve them online or over the phone and pick them up. At $3 per ticket, it is a great, affordable night out.

Another event that we are really excited about is our 1960's exhibit and film debut coming up in May 2011. Students from Roanoke Rapids High School are working hard on creating a great exhibit and film chronicling Roanoke Rapids and the surrounding areas in the '60s, which will go on permanent display at the Museum. Our 3 day debut will consist of the film debut, the exhibit debut, and a concert with some great 60's music! We are looking forward to it and hope you will come join us for 3 days of 1960's style fun for the whole family.

We will have plenty of great events in between, and will be posting upcoming events here and on our website, http://www.roanokecanal.com/, so keep a lookout and see what the Museum will be doing next!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

12.22.10

Friday night was Christmas on the Canal, and everyone had a great time. We ate pizza, made paper plate snowmen, candy cane ornaments, and popsicle stick reindeer. We also got to meet Santa and give him letters we wrote!

Tickets for Night at the Museum are on sale now, you can pick yours up at the Museum. If you can't get by today, you can reserve tickets online at www.roanokecanal.com. Hope to see you there!

From everyone here at the Roanoke Canal Museum, we hope you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Snowy Days

Today was a beautiful day, and the trail looked extra pretty with a fresh blanket of snow. Nothing better to put you in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas on the Canal is still planned for tomorrow night, Friday the 17th, from 6-8:30pm. There are still a few spaces left so call 537-2769 to register your child now. We will be eating, doing crafts, and having lots of fun. We will even get to meet Santa! Parents are welcome to stay or drop kids off.

If you still have last minute Christmas shopping to do, stop by the Museum and check out our gift shop. We have something for everyone on your list, from kids to grandparents. A great, affordable gift is tickets to our Night at the Museum event coming up January 14th. At only $3 a ticket, they make great stocking stuffers for all ages. Get yours by calling 537-2769, or visit the Museum and pick some up there!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Christmas on the Canal

Christmas on the Canal is still on the schedule for Friday, December 17th, from 6-8:30pm. Which means the time to sign up is now! There are only 25 available spaces, so call the Museum at 537-2769 to reserve your space. This will be a great time for kids to have fun, make some crafts, eat, and meet Santa! Parents can drop the kids off and go out and do some shopping or go to dinner while the kids are having fun. Call or stop by the Museum and sign up now!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Dec. 1st, 2010

December is here! Which means Christmas and New Years is just around the corner. With all the shopping, parties, and planning, it can be easy to get burned out this time of year. Why not come visit the Museum and take a walk along the trail? It's easy, fun and carefree, a great way to unwind from all the Holiday madness. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9-4, and the Trail is open until sunset daily.

In other news, the 60's club is continuing to meet and work on the film project and exhibit, and we are excitedly looking forward to the unveiling of both in May of 2011!

Christmas on the Canal still has plenty of open spaces, so be sure to call and sign up before it's too late! Scheduled for Dec. 17th, from 6-8:30pm, we will have food, crafts and plenty of fun! This is a great opportunity to drop the kids off for a few hours and get some shopping done or go out. The cost is $5 for city residents and $10 for non-city residents. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Christmas on the Canal

Christmas on the Canal is going to be a fun night at the Roanoke Canal Museum! It will be on December 17th, from 6 - 8:30pm. We will have pizza, do some crafts, and best of all, get to meet Santa Claus! Only 25 spaces are available, so call the Museum at 537-2769 to sign up. The cost is $5 for city residents and $10 for non city residents. Parents, bring your kids and go out for dinner or get some shopping done! They will have a great time!

Night at the Museum is going to be on January 14th, and tickets go on sale December 14th. Call or stop by the Museum for your tickets. This will be a great family event with plenty of games and activities. Plus characters from history will come to life! It is going to be lots of fun so be sure to get your tickets!


The 1960's club is still meeting and working on the film project and exhibit. We are really looking forward to the launch of both the film and exhibit coming in May of 2011. We are planning on having 3 nights of music, food and fun to celebrate the launch. Plan to come join us, it will be something you don't want to miss.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

September 18th

 It's so hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week! The holiday season is in full swing, and it will be Christmas before you know it! What are you thankful for? I am thankful for a great job, loving family, awesome friends, and so much more.

In other news, the Night at the Museum event is now going to be held on Friday, January 14th. Tickets will be on sale on December 14th. They can be purchased at the Canal Museum. Call 252-537-2769 for more info!

The Mountain Biking Club is still riding on Saturdays at 9am. Meet us at the Museum and come along for the ride!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Come out and enjoy the Canal Trail!

Autumn is in the air and the leaves are changing colors. There's a cool breeze blowing, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. It's a great time to come and take a leisurely walk along the canal trail! Bring a picnic lunch and eat at the picnic area outside of the Museum, and while you're there come in and visit and learn about the history of the canal. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9-4. Admission is $4 for non-county residents, $2 for county residents, and kids 8 and under are free!


The mountain biking club will continue to meet at 9am on Saturdays at the Museum. All ages and skill levels are welcome to ride.


We are continuing to plan the "Night at the Museum" event. Tickets are now on sale at the Museum at the cost of $5 each. This will be a great family event with food, a movie, and characters from history that have come to life! We look forward to having a great time, and hope you will join us!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Haunted Trail was a spooky success!

The Haunted Trail hosted by the Roanoke Canal Museum was a great success! Nearly 600 people came out over the course of 2 nights and walked the ghoulish trail. Winding through the dark woods, the trail came alive with ghosts and goblins, with plenty of scary surprises along the way. Lots of fun was had by all and we are already looking forward to next year. A big thanks goes out to everyone who participated, it would not have been possible without everyone's help.

The Mountain Biking Club has been moved to Saturdays, as we are losing too much daylight to continue riding on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will meet at the Museum at 9am on Saturday mornings. Come join us! If you have not signed up but are interested in riding, you can sign up at the Museum or on our website, www.roanokecanal.com. People of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to ride. It is a great way to enjoy the trail and get some exercise!

Our "Night at the Museum" event will be coming up shortly. It is scheduled for Dec. 3rd, and tickets will be available starting Monday, Nov. 8th. For one special night the Museum will come to life! More info is available on our website and at the Museum. This will be a great family event and we hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Haunted Trail

The Haunted Trail, presented by the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail, begins tomorrow! Meet at the Museum, and prepare to be scared as you walk along the trail filled with spooky surprises. The trail will be held on Thursday the 28th and Friday the 29th, from 7-9pm. Admission is $2 per person, and the proceeds will go towards the Friends of the Canal. 
It is recommended for ages 12 and up.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

10.21.10

The 60's club met on Tuesday night, the 19th, and had a great time! Around 30 students from Roanoke Rapids High School attended, and we had a fun time eating, watching Forrest Gump and getting to know each other. We also talked about the film project, and the students are thinking about who they would like to portray in the film, or if they would rather be behind the scenes. Everyone seemed really interested in the club, and we are off to a great start!

The Haunted Trail is coming up next week. It will be on Thursday the 28th, and Friday the 29th, from 7-9pm. Admission is $2 per person. Come join us for some spooky fun along the Canal Trail! We will meet at the Museum, ride up to Franklin St, and then walk the trail back.

With the weather getting cooler and the leaves beginning to change colors, it is a great time to come walk the Canal Trail. Bring a camera and snap some pictures along the way!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Upcoming Events

It's hard to believe that October is already halfway over! So far the month has been a great one for the Canal Museum. On the 8th we had our kickoff concert for the Concerts on the Canal series, and it was a great event. Captured Hearts and the Jenkins Family performed, and the crowd really enjoyed the music. We can't wait for our next concert!

Coming up on the 28th and 29th, we will be hosting a haunted trail! The spooky walk will begin at the museum, and guides will take groups along the trail, if they can brave the ghosts and monsters! The cost will be $2 per person, and the walk will be suitable for all ages. It will begin at 7pm and go until 9pm. Come join us for some scary fun!

The 1960's club has started, and we are really excited to begin learning about the people and events that helped make our world what it is today. The club is meeting next Tuesday, the 19th, and we will be watching a movie and eating some delicious food. We're looking forward to this time of getting to know everyone and tossing around some ideas for the film and exhibit projects.

The Museum has many more great things in the works, such as our scavenger hunt course, so stay tuned to see what will be coming up next!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Concerts on the Canal kickoff

Last night was the first concert in our "Concerts on the Canal" series, and it was a great show! Captured Hearts and the Jenkins Family put on a fantastic performance, and a good time was had by all. The weather was wonderful for an outdoor concert, there were plenty of popcorn and drinks, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves! We are excited to begin planning our next concert in the series, and we hope to have as great a turnout as we did for our kickoff. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Museum!

Pictures will be up soon on our Facebook page

Friday, October 8, 2010

Today is the day!

Our Concerts on the Canal series starts today, Friday Oct. 8th, with our kickoff concert featuring the Jenkins Family and Captured Hearts, both gospel bands out of Northampton County. This will be a FREE concert on the Roanoke Canal Museum lawn, so bring a chair and join us for a night of fun and great music. We will also have FREE popcorn and drinks! The concert begins at 6pm. Hope to see you there!

The Canal Museum is located at 15 Jackson St. Extension, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

If you need directions, call us at 252 537-2769

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Concert on the Canal


It's almost time! The Concert on the Canal series kickoff, featuring the Jenkins Family and Captured Hearts is this Friday, October 8th, at 6pm. It will be held at the Canal Museum. This will be a great gospel show for all ages, so bring some chairs or a blanket and come enjoy the show. Admission is free, and there will be free drinks and popcorn too! This will be the start of many great concerts here at the Museum, and we are really excited to have our first concert! Hope to see you there!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

What's going on at the Museum?

The answer... lots! We have tons of exciting things going on, and lots planned!

 One big event coming up is our Concerts on the Canal series kickoff, featuring the Jenkins Family and Captured Hearts. It will be on Friday, October 8th, at 6pm, at the Canal Museum. Admission is free, and there will also be free drinks and popcorn! This will be a great family event, so bring the kids, bring a chair, and come on out and listen to some great music.

The mountain biking club is in full swing, with rides on every Tuesday and Thursday and 5:30pm, weather permitting. Sign up at the Canal Museum, or sign up on our website. The club is for everyone, from beginners to experienced riders, and everyone in between. We have riders of all ages and skill levels, so don't be discouraged if you think you're not experienced enough. Meet us at the Museum, bring a friend, and get ready to have fun and get in shape at the same time!


The 1960's club will be starting up next week. Roanoke Rapids High School students will be learning all about the decade and the ways it affected America, specifically Roanoke Rapids. The club will be watching movies, listening to music, and researching the 60's. Additionally, the students will be producing a film about the 60's, as well as creating an exhibit chronicling the decade, which will be put on permanent display at the Museum.


Be on the lookout for more exciting things coming your way from the Museum. Coming up at the end of October we will have a haunted trail, which will be lots of scary fun for all ages. We are also have a scavenger hunt course for the Canal Trail in the works, which we are super excited about, so stay tuned for more info on these upcoming events!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Kickin' off the 60's program with RRHS students

It's the start of something exciting! The Canal Museum is partnering with Roanoke Rapids High School students to explore the 1960's. The club will be looking at how the 60's impacted Roanoke Rapids. What kind of things were going on then? How was Roanoke Rapids involved in the many changes that occurred in the 60's? What kind of music, movies, and events were popular during the era? We will be diving into the history of our town to answer these questions.We'll talk about the politics of the time, Vietnam, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. We'll talk about the moon landing, MLK, race relations. We'll talk about pop culture of the time, music, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Scott McKenzie. We'll talk about movies, Psycho, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Easy Rider.  In addition to expanding our knowledge about the influential era and how it affected Roanoke Rapids, we will also be guiding the students in producing a short film incorporating some exciting and important events from the 60's. The students will also be creating an exhibit for the museum, which will go on display and will chronicle how the major events of the 1960s affected rural America, specifically Roanoke Rapids. The exhibit and film are expected to be completed in March or April of 2011, and we are very excited for the students who will present them to the public. We hope you will come and join us as the area students share what we have discovered about our town during the 20th century's wildest decade!

Friday, September 10, 2010

First Ride is in the Books



So the first Mountain Biking Club ride is in the books. On Wednesday night, club members rode between 3.8 and 6.6 miles, and it proved to be a great first night. With more riders expected to ride on our next date, it seems that there will be a lot to look forward to on the next night of riding (Tuesday, September 14 at 5:30pm).

One thing I noticed on our first night is that we had a lot of diversity. Some riders were serious and competitive, others were there to get exercise, and others were there just for an enjoyable, relaxing ride on the trail. And quite honestly, it shows exactly what we want it to: we want all types of riders to come. No matter your skill level, the RC Mountain Biking Club is for everyone.

In addition to having fun riding, I met some really cool people too. Daniel Clay and Ross McKinney, who had been preparing for the trail for about a week ahead of the first ride, were awesome and just two of the people who I know are going to make the Mountain Biking Club a success. To be honest, there were a lot of cool people, and I am really excited about continuing to ride with everyone.

If you want to ride with us, it is not too late to join. It's never too late, actually. You can get in on the fun anytime you want. Just show up with your bike on Tuesdays or Thursdays (or both) at 5:30pm at the Roanoke Canal Museum and I promise you'll have a lot of fun.

See you next time!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Mountain Biking Club Starts Today

After three weeks of advertising for the RC Mountain Biking Club, today marks the beginning of the club. The first official ride will begin tonight at 5:15pm, and we are expecting a good size group for the first ride tonight.

If you want to join the Mountain Biking Club, there is still plenty of time. You can join anytime, all you really need is your bike (and we strongly recommend a helmet but that is up to you). Besides, it's FREE and I cannot think of a better way to exercise and get (or stay) in shape.

The trail is 7.5 miles long, and I know what you are probably thinking: "How in the world can my body handle 7.5 miles after work each day?" Don't worry, you won't have to go so far if you do not want to. We have designed routes that will utilize all parts of the trail and pass by the museum on different occasions throughout each ride so that you can stop when you're ready.

I cannot wait for tonight. There are a good number of people who are extremely excited about the start of this club, and I can promise everyone that it is going to be fun.

If you're interested, come to the museum tonight at 5:15pm. Remember, all you need to bring is your bike because it is FREE!

See you tonight and check out our photos from tonight's first ride in the next blog!