On this 2.5-hour hike, we’ll make our way along unpaved trails to view the ruins of Seneca Quarry, notable for producing the distinctive red sandstone used for the Smithsonian Castle and many other D.C. buildings.

We'll gather at the beautiful Seneca Aqueduct — the only aqueduct on the canal made with Seneca redstone — and learn how the canal and quarry's histories were intertwined. Bring your camera! You'll have plenty of time to take photographs of the distinctly rust-colored structures. We'll take a 1.5-mile hike through the woods to see Seneca Quarry. We'll climb up to see the beautiful quarry master's house, a unique structure that housed the site superintendent and is now part of Maryland's Resident Curatorship Program. The capstone of the tour is a visit to the site where the stone for the Smithsonian Castle was excavated. From there we'll hike back to the Seneca Aqueduct and wrap up our experience.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic underway, the entire tour will be conducted outdoors and in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Your host will wear a face mask and bring hand sanitizer, and guests are encouraged to wear facial coverings as well. Experiences will have no more than 10 people.

This event will run rain or shine.