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Experience the Great American Adventure Story of the Erie Canal.

The Erie Canal Museum located in Downtown Syracuse, NY, is dedicated showcasing the 1850 National Register Weighlock Building, the last remaining structure of its kind, and to telling the incredible adventure story of the Erie Canal. Come aboard a full size replica canal boat. Explore life in a canal town. Experience a part of history that played an imperative role in the growth and development of the United States. The Erie Canal Museum is a must-see for adults and children of all ages!

The Erie Canal Museum’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The Erie Canal Museum is funded in part by a Humanities New York SHARP Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Current<span>Exhibitions</span>
Current<span>Exhibitions</span>

CurrentExhibitions

Erie Eats
In the 2nd Floor Weighlock Gallery
Dates: May 15, 2021 - October 31, 2021

This exhibit highlights the many ways in which the histories of the Erie Canal and foodways have intersected over the last two centuries and will continue to interact in the future.
Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project is made possible with support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The Erie Eats exhibit is sponsored by Hofmann Sausage Company, Price Chopper, R. F. Esposito, Stewart's Shops, and Wegmans.


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Upcoming<span>Events</span>
Upcoming<span>Events</span>

UpcomingEvents

A Deeper Dive with Mark Kurlansky
Virtual Lecture
Dates: December 3, 2021 - December 3, 2021

The United States, and many would argue the world. But how is it that New York was able to edge out other Atlantic ports like Philadelphia and Boston to become the dominant metropolis it is today? In order to understand how New York City became the economic empire it is, one cannot overlook the importance of the Erie Canal and its role in food history. Until the Canal’s existence, the growing United States had no efficient way of accessing and transporting the resources of New York State, like salt and oysters, and even more broadly the vast resources of the Western territories. Join Mark Kurlansky, best selling author of Salt, on Friday, December 3 at 7:00 PM for this exciting discussion about how the Erie Canal established the economies and foodways that made New York the Empire State in this, the final event of our year long Erie Eats Foodways Project.


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Museum <span>News</span>
Museum <span>News</span>

Museum News

Calling all bakers!
Submit to the 36th Annual Gingerbread Gallery
Dates: September 28, 2021 - November 3, 2021

The Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse invites bakers of all ages to register for the 36th Annual Gingerbread Gallery, a display of confectionery creations that celebrates the holidays and the Erie Canal.
The first Gingerbread Gallery at the Erie Canal Museum celebrated the architecture of local buildings. It was a one-day event on December 13, 1986 with over 700 visitors. Every year since 1986, the Museum’s second floor Weighlock Gallery is transformed into a festive 1800’s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. The event has grown into a seven-week long holiday celebration with around 30 gingerbread creations made by locally by professional and amateur bakers.


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Erie Canal Museum

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