Canal Society of New Jersey
Lock 2 East
The Blue Tour
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11am to 4pm
Canal Society of New Jersey
Lock 2 East
For information on events, click on the website below:
https://www.canalsocietynj.org/
Lock 2 East, which was also known as “Bird’s Lock” for the family who operated the lock for many years, was one of the 23 lift locks that Morris Canal boats encountered on their journey across New Jersey. The lock was the western entrance to Port Oram, which was one of numerous port towns that developed on the Morris Canal. In 1902, Port Oram was renamed Wharton in honor of Joseph Wharton, who owned the large ironworks in town.
Over the past 20 years, Lock 2 East and its tender house has been lovingly restored by Wharton Borough, using historic plans and photos to make it as historically accurate as possible. The tender’s house was completed just last year, and Pathways to History will be only the second time that it is open to the public.
Volunteers will be stationed at the entrance to Hugh Force Park, where you will then stroll along one of the longest watered section of the Morris Canal Greenway, and then view the restored lock, as interpreters explain how the lock operation worked. You can then enter the tender’s house, which has been outfitted with antique furnishings, and where a docent will explain what life was like for a lock tender’s family. Also, for the first time, visitors will be able to enter the lock tender’s shanty, where the tender kept his books, and waited for canal boats to come along.
On the way back to the parking area, you can choose to take the former High Branch rail trail, which offers a lovely upper-level view of the Morris Canal and Rockway River.
