New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Erie Canal

New History Podcast Features ‘Burned Over District’

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a new york minute in history podcastThe latest episode of A New York Minute In History details the “Burned Over District” and how upstate New York became a “cauldron” of emergent religions and alternative communities during the 19th century. How did the Burned Over District collide with state and national history? And what role did the Erie Canal play in establishing it?

These new religions contributed to the creation of alternative communities, such as the Ebenezers and the Oneida Community, and how this predication for communal living was revisited in New York during the 1960s. [Read more…] about New History Podcast Features ‘Burned Over District’

Erie Canal Preparations Underway For Approaching Tropical Storm Ida

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Tropical Storm IdaIn preparation for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ida, the New York State Canal Corporation has preemptively lifted the upper gates of the movable dams along the Erie Canal and Mohawk River between Lock E-8 (Rotterdam) and Lock E-12 (Tribes Hill). [Read more…] about Erie Canal Preparations Underway For Approaching Tropical Storm Ida

Underwater Imaging of Seneca Lake Canal Shipwrecks Underway

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Seneca Lake underwater research project courtesy NYS Canal CorpThe Seneca Lake Archaeological and Bathymetric Survey Project is an underwater exploration occurring on Seneca Lake that aims to preserve the history of New York’s canals by using state-of-the-art equipment to capture never-before-seen images of intact canal shipwrecks from the early nineteenth century in the deepest waters of the lake. [Read more…] about Underwater Imaging of Seneca Lake Canal Shipwrecks Underway

Canal Blow-Out: The Big Break in Syracuse in 1907

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post card of damaged canal vessels being burned to hasten their removal after the Big Break in Syracuse when a culvert over Onondoga Creek collapsedIn 1903, voters in New York State ratified the Barge Canal referendum which provided for construction of our present canal system. The Barge Canal design is an integrated improvement of natural lakes and rivers, with only short stretches of pure canal to eliminate bends and to link the natural bodies together.

The Barge Canal was designed to be used only by motorized vessels. The former canals had been completely man-made, elevated above and across the natural bodies of water. This feature allowed the older version of the canal to nearly eliminate any current, thereby making draft animals practical. [Read more…] about Canal Blow-Out: The Big Break in Syracuse in 1907

Henry Ford’s Barge Canal Fleet: A Short History

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River RougeFew industrialists in the history of the United States have been so widely involved in multiple production operations as Henry Ford. His business philosophy was to operate and control all phases of his manufacture, which included transportation between production facilities.

Certain operations of his automobile empire involved the transportation of raw materials, and completed sub-assemblies between the main plants in the Detroit area, and satellite plants on the eastern seaboard.

Ford, a trenchant industrialist, realized that the New York State Barge Canal offered business a tremendous economic corridor between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. [Read more…] about Henry Ford’s Barge Canal Fleet: A Short History

Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries

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Erie Canal near Clay by Suzanne GroszErie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is calling for entries for its 15th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Images should convey the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Winning photos will be featured in the 2022 Erie Canalway calendar. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries

Buffalo Riverline: A Unique Urban Nature Trail Design Unveiled

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Riverline Double BridgeThe Western New York Land Conservancy and its design partners W Architecture, Hood Design Studio, and Green Shield Ecology presented their final concept designs for The Riverline at a press conference at the Tewksbury Lodge Pavilion in Buffalo last week.

The Riverline is the Conservancy’s proposed urban nature trail and greenway that stretches along an unused railroad corridor from Canalside at the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Terminal Terminal in downtown Buffalo to the Buffalo River across from Riverbend and Tesla. [Read more…] about Buffalo Riverline: A Unique Urban Nature Trail Design Unveiled

Documentary Explores Erie Canal’s Role in Shaping America

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Erie Canal in 1829The new documentary Floating Ideas: How the Erie Canal Helped Shape America is set to premier on WCNY-TV on June 29th at 9 pm. The half-hour documentary examines the spread of ideas along the Erie Canal with emphasis on women’s rights, suffrage, and the quest for social justice. [Read more…] about Documentary Explores Erie Canal’s Role in Shaping America

Brad Utter Talks About His Canal Exhibit, Book Experience

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Enterprising WatersThe latest episode of “Empire State Engagements” features a conversation with New York State Museum Senior Historian and Curator Brad Utter about his recent exhibit on the Erie Canal, “Enterprising Waters,” as well as his book of the same title, published by SUNY Press in 2020. [Read more…] about Brad Utter Talks About His Canal Exhibit, Book Experience