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The Thomas Hahn Chesapeake and Ohio Canal collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS2020

Collection Scope and Content

This Collection contains materials related to Thomas Hahn's involvement in the C&O Canal Association, as well as other canals related to the C&O, and canals in general.

A large part of the collection consists of photographic negatives, slides and prints of the C&O Canal. Most of these photographs, negatives, and slides relate to illustrations in publications that he authored or co-authored. Other items include reference material for his books, correspondence, and maps.

Please note: many of the images, especially those in boxes 21-25, are not in order and may require additional time to use for research.

The collection covers the years from 1939-1993 and is housed in 31 boxes, or approximately 10 linear feet.

Dates

  • 1939-1993

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical Note

Thomas Hahn (1926-2007) was a professional industrial archaeologist, a college professor and a bona fide Indian medicine man. He was born in November 1926, in Topeka, Kansas. After retiring from the Navy following a 28 year career, Hahn earned several degrees including a Masters degree in History and a PhD in Industrial Archeology. He spoke five language and was closely connected with his Native American heritage, at one point serving as Chief of the Kansas Delawares Nation.

Hahn had a 28-year career in the Navy that spanned three wars, beginning in 1944 as a seaman second class and ended in retirement in 1972 with a captain's rank.

Hahn wrote 30 volumes on the C&O Canal for the National Park Service, as well as historical books, essays and brochures. He was the field archaeologist on two major canal restoration projects; one in Havre de Grace, Md., the other in Alexandria, Va. Hahn founded national and international canal societies as a way of sharing information. He was president and founder of the 25-member Eastern West Virginia Archeology Society and served as president of the American Canal Association from 1972-97.

Hahn died on May 23, 2007.

Extent

10 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection contains materials related to Thomas Hahn's involvement in the C&O Canal Association, as well as other canals related to the C&O, and canals in general. A large part of the collection consists of photographic negatives, slides and prints of the C&O Canal. Most of these photographs, negatives, and slides relate to illustrations in publications that he authored or co-authored. Other items include reference material for his books, correspondence, and maps.

General Physical Description note

10 Linear feet (30 boxes)

Processing Information

This finding aid was revised in 2022 to address harmful descriptive language. During that revision staff edited the description in the Biographical/Historical Note. To see the description prior to revisions, please view the previous version of The Thomas Hahn Chesapeake and Ohio Canal collection finding aid.

Title
Preliminary Guide to The Thomas Hahn Chesapeake and Ohio Canal collection, 1939-1993
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America