Representatives of the Maryland legislature, the National Park Service, the Potomac Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy and other groups gathered Saturday to celebrate the opening of the Lockhouse 8 River Center, an educational center in the newly-restored 170 year-old building.
The restoration was a collaboration between the Potomac Conservancy and the National Park Service and relied on 1000s of hours of volunteer work over three years.
Among attendees were former volunteers, a Cub Scout pack, and Tommy Dennell, 83, whose grandfather operated nearby lockhouse 7.
The Conservancy has already lined up more than 20 volunteers to staff the center, which will initially be open on Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.