The Big Ditch’s Big Problems at Niagara

Virtual lecture explores challenges to Canal construction on the Niagara Frontier

Join the Erie Canal Museum and Ray Wigle, manager of the Erie Canal Discovery Center in Lockport, New York, for a virtual lecture about building the original Erie Canal in Niagara County, western New York state. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 at 12 p.m. Click the button above to register and join us via Zoom. The event will also be simultaneously shared on Facebook Live.

In this program, Wigle will discuss the daunting challenges that canal builders faced in Niagara County. He will explain how they overcame those challenges with a two-part solution that is still in use today.

Wigle’s talk is part of the Museum’s bimonthly lunchtime lecture series. It will be on Facebook Live to protect everyone’s health and safety. As a result there is no charge to attend. We do, however, invite you to make a $5 donation through this link on our website. $5 is the admission fee for our in-person lunchtime lectures.

Ray Wigle is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has worked at the Discovery Center, Old Fort Niagara, and other nonprofit history organizations in western New York.

The Erie Canal Discovery Center is part of the Niagara County Historical Society. This organization includes three sites that present a look at life in Niagara County since the early 1800s.

For more information, email derrick@eriecanalmuseum.org. We hope you’ll join us for this interesting presentation!

The Erie Canal Museum is partially supported by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.