From the Research Desk

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In October 2022, the Erie Canal Museum brought new meaning to the words “Reimagine the Canals” at the New York State Canal Conference in Rochester, NY. As the 2021-2023 Erie Canal Research Fellow, I had the distinct privilege to collaborate with local scholars on a panel called “Expanding the Erie Canal Read More »

Lunchtime Lecture

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Register Here Learn more about the restoration of the historic Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, the only restored towpath era aqueduct on the Erie Canal. Explore this engineering marvel and the tremendous effort involved in its rehabilitation! Presenting is David Beebe, President of the Camillus Canal Society and Director of Read More »

Call for bakers!

News, Uncategorized
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 Read More »
Model Boats Make a Splash

Model Canal Boats Make a Splash

Community, Exhibit, News, Uncategorized , , , , , ,
Digital exhibit features entries in Erie Canal Museum’s Brick-a-Boat model canal boat contest. Works go on the museum website August 28.  By Vicki Krisak, Erie Canal Museum A steam-powered cargo boat, a tugboat that traveled the Great Lakes, a railroad barge, and a replica of the Independence, a packet boat built for the Erie Canal Read More »
Through the Mire: A Look at the Environmental History of the Erie Canal

Through the Mire: A Look at the Environmental History of the Erie Canal

Feature article, News, Uncategorized , , , ,
By David Brooks, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site An examination of the environmental history of Upstate New York and its impact on the Erie Canal The waterways of New York State have been utilized for hundreds of years but with the arrival of Europeans and the age of colonialism, their ability to effectively support commerce Read More »
CNY Hops: The Birth, Death & Rebirth of an Industry

CNY Hops: The Birth, Death & Rebirth of an Industry

Event, News, Program, Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,
Images of the hops industry in Central New York The Erie Canal Museum's July 9 Quarantine Coffee Hour features Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz discussing the history of the hops industry in Central New York. The program will be streamed on Facebook Live beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It's free and open to all. Hops Read More »
Erie Canal Museum Reopening Survey

Erie Canal Museum Reopening Survey

Community, News, Uncategorized , , ,
Syracuse museum seeks public input on reopening during COVID-19 pandemic On March 16, 2020, the Erie Canal Museum closed its doors to protect visitors, volunteers, and staff from the deadly coronavirus that swept the nation. We canceled or postponed until further notice all in-person programs and events. We continued to offer numerous resources and programs Read More »
Syracuse's First Fourth of July Celebration

Syracuse’s First Fourth of July Celebration

Feature article, News, Uncategorized , , , , , ,
A look at Syracuse's 1820 Fourth of July celebration By Derrick Pratt, Erie Canal Museum Educator The Erie Canal totally transformed the state of New York. In few places was that transformation as clear as in the Erie Canal Museum’s hometown, Syracuse. Prior to the Canal, what became the City of Syracuse was a small, Read More »
The History of the Morris Canal

Exploring New Jersey’s Morris Canal

Feature article, News, Program, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,
Courtesy of the Canal Society of New Jersey A brief overview of New Jersey's historic Morris Canal In 1824 the Morris Canal & Banking Company (MC&BC) was chartered to build a canal that would carry coal, mined in Pennsylvania, to developing markets along the eastern seaboard. The canal would pass through the heart of New Read More »