A model canal boat that has been stored in a building in Lehighton for over two decades has moved downstream and into a new home.

Several entities worked in synchrony on a windy, blustery Tuesday morning to ensure the safe and much anticipated relocation of the barge from Lehighton to Walnutport.

Northeast Industrial Services arrived at the Lehighton Borough Annex around 9 a.m. to move the canal boat out of the building and into the hands of the Lehighton Borough Public Works Department.

From there, the Lehighton Borough Public Works Department transported the historical artifact to the Walnutport Canal Museum, where members of the Walnutport Canal Association anxiously welcomed their newest addition.

George Pandich, president of the Walnutport Canal Association, said the canal boat is a welcome attraction.

“We have a lot of things,” Pandich said. “This is going to be a great addition.”

Doneta Merkle, curator for the Walnutport Canal Association, said the canal boat will serve to enrich everyone’s visit.

“It will enhance the experience of what people see when they see the museum,” Merkle said. “It will draw people here, enhance the experience.”

Lehighton Borough Manager Dane DeWire said it’s a match made in heaven.

“(Lehighton) Borough Council is happy to see (the canal boat) go to a place where it can be preserved and admired,” DeWire said.

DeWire thanked PathStone, which is located inside the borough’s annex building, for its patience during the move.

Earlier this month, Lehighton Borough Council agreed to award the canal boat to the Walnutport Canal Association.

Also as part of the motion, council agreed to have Northeast Industrial Services move the boat at the next in-service day available, and to have borough solicitor Jim Nanovic amend the contract.

DeWire said he and Councilwoman Becky Worthy recently met with members of the Walnutport Canal Association.

DeWire told council that together, they have found “the perfect place to store this.”

Several members of the Walnutport Canal Association were in attendance at the Lehighton Borough Council meeting.

Pandich told Lehighton Borough Council at that meeting it would always have the option to have the canal boat back.

Todd Weaver, president of the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance, said at that meeting “That’s the perfect place for it.”

DeWire said it was about turning over the ownership of the boat. Council asked Nanovic to draw up a five-year agreement with the association.

Also as part of the motion, council agreed to have Northeast Industrial Services move the boat with a $1,000 donation from the canal association.

DeWire said is cost $1,900 to take apart the boat and move it in two pieces via the south stairwell of the annex.

DeWire said that doesn’t mean the borough couldn’t eventually bring back the model, especially if it gets its own museum.