April 17, 2024

‘Montgomery County’s Gift to D.C.: The Washington Aqueduct’ Will Be Focus of Montgomery History Presentation on Tuesday, April 23


The Washington Aqueduct, carrying drinking water to the nation’s capital, but running mostly through Montgomery County from Great Falls, was a technological marvel when completed 160 years ago in 1864. After all that time of continuous service, it is currently undergoing a major rehabilitation. That miraculous project will be the subject of a free, online presentation from Montgomery History at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23.

Through current and historical photos, Ralph Buglass, a Montgomery County native and avid history buff, will relate the fascinating history of this structure, now a National Landmark, and look at its equally fascinating chief engineer, Montgomery Meigs, who was also quartermaster general of the U.S. Army during the Civil War. In charge of all the troop logistics, Meigs has been described as “second only to General Ulysses Grant” in winning the war for the Union.

“Montgomery County’s ‘Gift’ to D.C.: The Washington Aqueduct” can be viewed via Zoom at Webinar Registration - Zoom.

Mr. Buglass has taught at lifelong learning institutes associated with Johns Hopkins and American universities and Montgomery College. He speaks frequently to community groups, businesses and other organizations and national conferences. In 2020, with Peerless Rockville, he co-authored Images of America: Rockville, a pictorial history of the city’s 250 years.