Ever wonder why portions of the C&O Canal’s towpath collapse? Sometimes it’s what lies beneath: an ordinary structure of ancient beauty.

Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, will host a book signing on Saturday, July 16 at 4 p.m. featuring “Gemstones Beneath The Towpath: Historic Culverts of The C&O Canal” by Leslie Carter.

This fun to read book presents an engaging perspective of over 150 stone masonry culverts: cultural resources hidden within the 184-mile C&O Canal. It also serves as a field guide and photo album, with nearly 500 photos and original illustrations of the beautiful yet easily missed structures essential to the Canal and its inherent ecosystem. Gemstones tells the story of these unassuming structures, the critical role they play and why they deserve special attention.

Carter grew up in Washington, D.C., where she spent much of her free time exploring along the C&O Canal, NHP. Her free-ranging career has included fine cabinetmaking, writing, carpentry, stone masonry, historic research, studio arts, and studies in historic preservation. She has written articles and led tours of the old Canal, and conducted research on its unique structures. After graduating Shepherd University in 2009, she began in earnest her research, investigation and taking digital images to document all the historic culverts of C&O Canal, NHP than can still be found. Leslie’s hope is that Gemstones her first book will inspire others to appreciate these culverts: the silent sentinels of the C&O Canal.