Quarantine Coffee Hour: Buffalo and the Erie Canal Terminus Debate

Learn how Buffalo became the Erie Canal’s western terminus during this Facebook Live discussion.

Are you looking for ways to engage with others while you’re staying home? Join the Erie Canal Museum for its new remote program, Quarantine Coffee Hour. The program is free and open to everyone.

Beginning each Monday, read a Canal-related article on the Newsroom page of the Museum’s website. The following Thursday at 10 a.m., join a Facebook Live discussion about that week’s article with the Museum’s Educator, Derrick Pratt.

On April 23 we are discussing a story titled Western Terminus of the Erie Canal: Buffalo or Black Rock? It was written by Museum Curator Ashley Maready for our Canal Packet newsletter.

At the time of the original Erie Canal’s construction, the big question was, “Where will the Canal connect to Lake Erie?” A fierce battle ensued, between the villages of Buffalo and Black Rock. The winner of the debate would be home to a Canal port with great financial potential. Learn more about this rivalry and why Buffalo won by reading this article and participating in our coffee hour.

We encourage you to share questions beforehand by commenting on the Quarantine Coffee Hour Facebook event or by emailing derrick@eriecanalmuseum.org. Your questions will help make the Live events even more informative. And please don’t hesitate to ask questions during the discussion!

In response to the COVID-19 crisis and to protect visitors, volunteers, and staff, the Museum is closed to the public until further notice. This online event is a great way to learn Canal history as we all do our part to stay safe and healthy. Until we open our doors, we are working diligently to serve you through these types of programs. We greatly appreciate your support as we face financial uncertainty. If you’d like to make a donation to the Museum, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you for Quarantine Coffee Hour, Thursday April 23!

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.