Canal Society of New York State

Canal Boat Replica Lois McClure Moved to Port Byron

February 3, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Canal Society of New York State completed a multi‑year effort to move the full‑scale replica 1860s‑era canal boat Lois McClure to a land berth at Erie Canal Heritage Park in Port Byron in Cayuga County, NY, on December 23, 2025.

Launched in 2004 by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, the Lois McClure spent nearly twenty years traveling the NYS Canal System as an educational “time machine” helping people better understand the state’s maritime history and culture. [Read more…] about Canal Boat Replica Lois McClure Moved to Port Byron

New York’s Historic Vessels Highlight Preservation Failures

October 31, 2024 by Editorial Staff 7 Comments

One of America’s most historic ships, which spent most of its career traveling between New York City and Southampton, England, will serve as a kind of metaphor for our times when it’s hauled to Florida, loaded with explosives and purposely sunk.

It’s just one of several historic vessels with ties to New York State that have recently been abandoned for lack of funding. [Read more…] about New York’s Historic Vessels Highlight Preservation Failures

New York State Maritime Heritage Projects Get $400k in Grant Funding

June 12, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has announced that 18 maritime heritage projects across New York State will be supported by almost $400,000 in federal grants through the New York State National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. [Read more…] about New York State Maritime Heritage Projects Get $400k in Grant Funding

Canal Society of New York State Winter Symposium

January 23, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Stakeholders, historians and others interested in New York State’s canals will gather March 2, 2024 at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY during the Canal Society of New York State’s Winter Symposium. [Read more…] about Canal Society of New York State Winter Symposium

200th Anniversary of the Champlain Canal Celebration

October 1, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

On October 8, 1823 New York State celebrated the arrival of the first canal boat to enter the Hudson River at Albany, also marking the completion of the Champlain Canal. “DeWitt Clinton’s Grand Canal March” was especially written for the event.

The Canal Society of New York State will host a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal on October 6-8 in Albany, NY. [Read more…] about 200th Anniversary of the Champlain Canal Celebration

Replica Sailing Canal Schooner Lois McClure Donated to Canal Society of New York

September 26, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, Vermont, is donating its replica 1862-class sailing canal schooner Lois McClure to the Canal Society of New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the state’s historic canals. [Read more…] about Replica Sailing Canal Schooner Lois McClure Donated to Canal Society of New York

Canal Society of NY Seeks Executive Director

March 24, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Canal Society of New York State is seeking an Executive Director to ensure fulfillment of the Society’s mission and strategic plan and to implement administrative procedures for the day-to-day financial and operational oversight of the Society’s properties, staff, collections and programs. [Read more…] about Canal Society of NY Seeks Executive Director

Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference Set For May

March 12, 2017 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

To begin the celebration of the 200 years of the Erie Canal, the Oneida County History Council in partnership with the Canal Society of New York will hold a conference in Utica and Rome May 19 to 21, 2017. [Read more…] about Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference Set For May

Recent Publications: Bottoming Out (Fall 2011)

February 13, 2012 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Bottoming Out is the journal of the Canal Society of New York State. It is published and sent to members of the Society twice a year. It features articles on the history of canals, trip previews and reviews, events calendar, and other “Useful and Interesting Notes”. See the Canal Society web page at www.newyorkcanals.org for more information. The Summer / Fall 2011 issue of Bottoming Out featured articles on: [Read more…] about Recent Publications: Bottoming Out (Fall 2011)

Canal Society of New York’s Winter Symposium

February 8, 2012 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Canal Society of New York State has announced it’s Winter Symposium will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the Warshof Conference Center at Monroe Community College’s Brighton Campus, 1000 East Henrietta Road in Rochester (Monroe Room A & B; Park in Lot M, Center Road; enter through lobby at northeast corner of Building 3).

The Symposium includes papers on topics that are directly or indirectly related to historic or operating New York State Canals, canals and inland waterways worldwide, and the communities through which they run.

Further information, a including a summary of the agenda and pre-registration procedures may be found at the Society’s webpage; pre-registration forms are due by February 22nd.

Canal Society is an organization of canal enthusiasts who study New York canal history, including its effect on the life and economy of the State; exchange information; promote interest in the canals in the United States and abroad; educate the public and encourage preservation of canal records, relics, structures and sites; and help restore abandoned canals and historic vessels, including replicating their structures.

Founded in Buffalo on October13, 1956, the Canal Society is a not-for-profit educational organization that enables people to visit canal sites in New York State and beyond through regular, organized field trips, to share information and ideas about preserving canal history and traditions, and to advocate for canal renewal and development.

Illustration: The first issue of the Canal Society of New York State’s journal Bottoming Out.

Canal Society Symposium Announced

February 22, 2011 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Canal Society of New York State’s (CSNY) daylong 2011 Winter Symposium, will be held March 5th, 2011 at the Monroe Community College campus in Rochester, New York. The Symposium covers topics that are directly or indirectly related to historic or operating New York State Canals, canals and inland waterways worldwide, and the communities through which they run.

This year’s symposium will include a presentation, “Clinton’s Ditch and Enlarged Erie Aqueduct Survey” by Capt. Rob Mangold, Vice President, CSNY; “An Exploration of the Burlington and Desjardins Canals by Robert W. Sears, of the Canadian Canal Society; “Managing NYS Canal Infrastructure in Difficult Economic Times” by Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the NYS Canal Corporation; “Geographic Resources for the Erie Canal”; “Three Generations on the Erie Barge Canal: A Photographic Chronicle” by “High Canals and Deep Rivers—Southern Germany Waterways Tour” and more.

CSNYS membership is not a requirement to attend. Pre-registration cost prior to February 23rd is $40 per person.

Contact:

David L. Kipp
61 Thistledown Drive
Rochester, NY 14617

The $40 per person cost covers a continental breakfast, coffee break, lunch, parking and speaker fees. Provide Davd Kipp with the names of the attendees and a telephone number. A check for $40 should be made payable to: Canal Society of New York State

Registration can be made on the day of the seminar at $50 per person.

A downloadable program can be found at the society’s website.

Canal Society of New York State

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