Skip to main content
Penn State Altoona
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • Academics
    • Summer 2023 Courses
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Research and Engagement
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • New Student Orientation
  • Admissions & Financial Aid
    • Visit Us
    • Admissions Overview
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition and Financial Aid Resources
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
  • Student Success
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • Housing
    • Athletics
    • Career Services
    • Safety and Security
  • Information For
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfer Students
    • Current Students
    • International Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Parents & Families
Full site navigation menu

This dialog contains the full navigation menu for this site.

Penn State Altoona
Enter the terms you wish to search for.
Search type:
Hotline Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
  • Research and Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame

Find Information For:

  • Prospective Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Current Students
  • International Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
  • Parents & Families

Helpful Links

  • Campus Map
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Offices and Divisions
  • Employment Opportunities

Connect With Us

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
  1. Home
  2. Research and Engagement
  3. Center for Community-Based Studies
  4. Past Projects

2015 Canal Jam

Up in the Batten House
"Well-organized, well-balanced programming, and incredibly well attended. This event was one of the best examples of community outreach programming and collaboration that I've ever been a part of. Let's do it again. Peace and Banjos."
— Steven Sherrill, associate professor of English and integrative arts

The Canal-Era Music and Entertainment Summit – Canal Jam 2015, held at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site on Saturday, September 26, is now in the Penn State Altoona history books! The all-day event featured professional and amateur musicians, performers, and storytellers interested in 19th Century American folk music and other forms of entertainment performed in the port towns along the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal during its heyday, c. 1834-1854. More than 100 people from across the region were in attendance.

Performers included five Penn State Altoona voice students studying under Professor Bonnie Cutsforth-Huber. They performed canal songs a capella or with banjo accompaniment on the front lawn of the Lemon House for an appreciative lunchtime audience. Other performers from Penn State Altoona included Steven Sherrill, associate professor of English and integrative arts, who read selections from his The Locktender's House, a canal-era "ghost story" inspired by events occurring along Pennsylvania's Main Line Canal, accompanied by David Parry, assistant professor of philosophy on guitar and banjo; and Jerry Zolten, associate professor of communication arts and sciences, performing with his long-time musician colleague Richard Sleigh. Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music, SUNY Brockport William Hullfish and his Golden Eagle String Band were featured guest musicians at the event, along with the Pittsburgh folk music group Up in the Batten House.

Canal Jam 2015 was the culminating event for the "Canal-Era Music and Entertainment Project." Please visit the Project webpage for more information about the entire project's scope and activities.

Canal Jam 2015 was supported in part by a Community-Based Projects Grant through the Penn State Altoona Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, by the Division of Arts & Humanities and the Office of Academic Affairs, and by several community organizations and individuals.

Publicity for Canal Jam 2015 as well as a gallery of photographs provided by Penn State Altoona University Relations Photo Gallery can be accessed here:

  • WPSU Public Broadcasting with Kristine Allen – "Canal Jam Celebrates 19th Century Songs" – featuring Dr. J. Jerome Zolten, Associate Professor of Communications Arts and Sciences
  • WTAJ Central PA Live

Center for Community-Based Studies

  • About Us
  • Current Projects
  • Past Projects
    • Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA) Altoona William H. Rau Photograph Collection
    • Canal-Era Music and Entertainment: Study and Performance Project
    • 2015 Canal Jam
    • Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP)
  • Faculty Members and Community Partners
  • Center Staff
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • flickr
  • linkedin
Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
    • COVID-19 Information
    • Penn State Altoona Connect
    • Penn State Student Engagement Network
Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

Footer Legal Menu

  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Directory
  • The Pennsylvania State University © 2023
  • We Are Penn State