White’s Ferry Landing Closure and Legal Dispute
Promising New Idea: Will It Resolve the Closure of White’s Ferry ?
Call to Action Required!
Feb. 7, 2026: A unique approach originated by Monocle columnist and local historian Jon Wolz to have White’s Ferry taken over by the Federal government was brought to the attention of Congresswoman April McClain Delaney at the February 5 Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce annual business meeting and dinner. Delaney voiced intrigue and interest to Jon in developing the new concept further, believing that a committee should be formed to explore his promising idea. Jon mentioned the Fair Access Committee under the leadership of Link Hoewing has been working to get the ferry reopened. Fortuitously, an aide to Senator Van Hollen was also present as Wolz explained his idea.
PACC president Tom Kettler introduced Wolz to Delaney at the dinner so he could present his concept to her. Along with Tom Kettler, Wolz is the town’s representative for the Canal Towns Partnership. This organization provides valuable support to the canal towns from Poolesville to Cumberland. In 2011, several Canal Towns formed an alliance to generate mutually beneficial economic activity in the towns and their surrounding communities. Each town sends representatives to monthly meetings to share information, offer advice and support to the National Park Service, and develop intertown projects.
In an email sent to Congresswoman’s Senior Advisor, Susan Kenedy on February 6, Wolz elaborated on his idea.
His email follows:
Last week as I was waking up, I was thinking about the C&O Canal National Historical Park and how since 1971, the National Park Service had been buying properties along the canal and giving those lands to the C&O Canal National Historical Park. I thought the National Park Service could take over the ferry and operate it. The ferry property is surrounded by the C&O Canal National Historical Park already. My wife Patricia asked Alexa if the National Park Service operates any ferries? We were both surprised by the responses.
The ferries operated by the National Park Service include:
Cumberland Island Ferry (Georgia)
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferries (New York Harbor)
Ranger III Ferry to Isle Royale in Michigan
Ferries to access Olympic National Park in Washington State
White’s Ferry once operating again would not only benefit Montgomery County and Loudoun County residences and businesses, but it would allow access to the C&O Canal National Historical Park for citizens from Virigina and elsewhere across the Potomac River. Eventually an RV campground being developed by the C&O Canal National Historical Park would attract citizens from Virginia when the ferry is open once again. Below is the link to the C&O Canal Trust White’s Ferry Development Concept Plan.
https://npshistory.com/publications/choh/dcp-whites-ferry-area.pdf
The nineteen cabins on the Maryland side are scheduled to be demolished and removed from the old White’s Ferry Sportsman’s Club soon, however the ice and snow have slowed progress. The C&O Canal National Historical Park has plans to develop a campground at the site for public use.
Once in December 1970, as an Eagle Scout from Montgomery County, I testified before a Senate Sub Committee as to why the C&O Canal should become a National Historical Park.
I am looking forward to working with the Congresswoman and others to turn White’s Ferry and its surrounding area into a wonderful place for all to enjoy.”
With Delaney’s initiative to explore the Wolz Plan and through the leadership of the Fair Access Committee and Town commissioners, a committee to bring control of the ferry under the National Parks umbrella would be the most obvious next step.
Local support to pursue this is critical. To do so, be sure to like this posting, and send an email of your support for the Wolz Plan to Susan Kenedy at susan.kenedy@mail.house.gov.
Thank you!