New York’s canal building boom and the urban explosion that it triggered dramatically accelerated the dispossession and disruption of traditional life ways of the region’s Native American inhabitants that had been initiated by the introduction of European trade, diseases, colonial wars, the American Revolution, and encroaching settlement by non-natives. [Read more…] about The Erie Canal’s Impacts on Indigenous People
Oswego Canal
James Shanahan: Stone Mason & Railroad and Canal Builder
At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site you can see all three of the major phases of the Erie Canal – from the original “Clinton’s Ditch,” to the enlargements of the mid-19th century to the Barge Canal of today. You can also see Lock E-12 operated by the New York State Canal Corporation between Tribes Hill and Fort Hunter in Montgomery County, NY.
This lock has a movable dam and is one of only two which also serve as an automobile bridge. It’s known as the “James Shanahan Lock.” [Read more…] about James Shanahan: Stone Mason & Railroad and Canal Builder
New York State Canals Bicentennial: Some History & Plans For Celebrations
The Champlain Canal turns 200 this year and the Erie Canal will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025.
The Champlain Canal between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain at Whitehall was the first to open. Worked started on the Champlain Canal in October, 1816. The first boats operated in November, 1819, and was fully completed in 1823, two years before the Erie Canal was finished. [Read more…] about New York State Canals Bicentennial: Some History & Plans For Celebrations
Canalway Water Trail Added to National Recreational Trails System
In celebration of Great Outdoors Month, The New York State Canal System, including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals, is getting special recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior as one of the nation’s newly designated National Water Trails. [Read more…] about Canalway Water Trail Added to National Recreational Trails System
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Reauthorized to 2037
As part of the bipartisan omnibus spending package signed by President Joe Biden on March 15, 2022 the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission was reauthorized to 2037.
The Commission manages the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which was established by Congress in 2000. The Corridor spans 524 miles across the full expanse of the upstate New York. It includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain Canals and their historic alignments. The Corridor encompasses 4,834 square miles in 23 counties and is home to 3.2 million people. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Reauthorized to 2037
NYS Canals Seek Volunteer Paddling Stewards
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, has launched the NYS Canalway Water Trail Stewardship Program to help ensure the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain, and Oswego canals are welcoming and safe for paddlers. [Read more…] about NYS Canals Seek Volunteer Paddling Stewards
Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners Announced
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced the winners of this year’s Erie Canalway Photo Contest.
435 images were judged in four contest categories: On the Water, Along the Trail, Canal Communities, and Classic Canal. Judges selected first, second, and third place winning images in each category, as well as 12 honorable mentions. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Photo Contest Winners Announced
Signs For Paddlers Installed Along Canalway Water Trail
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has recently installed new signs to mark the NYS Canalway Water Trail at more than 140 launch sites along the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca, and Oswego canals.
The blue and yellow signs are intended to help paddlers identify safe put-in and take-out sites from the water and assist with wayfinding to launch sites from land. [Read more…] about Signs For Paddlers Installed Along Canalway Water Trail
Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced a call for entries for its 15th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest.
Images should convey the unique character of New York’s canals and canal communities. Entries must be postmarked by August 28, 2020. Winning photos will be featured in the 2021 Erie Canalway calendar. [Read more…] about Erie Canalway Photo Contest Call for Entries
Portions of Erie Canal Opening Friday
Portions of the New York State Canal system are scheduled to open on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. for the 2020 navigation season.
Major construction and maintenance at several locks continues. [Read more…] about Portions of Erie Canal Opening Friday
Canalway Challenge Promotes Health and History
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has invited New Yorkers to take part in the 2020 Canalway Challenge, tracing history and tracking miles along New York’s canals and Canalway Trail.
Part fitness challenge, part journey of discovery, the Canalway Challenge is free and registration is open to people of all ages and abilities. [Read more…] about Canalway Challenge Promotes Health and History
Canal Society of NY Seeks Executive Director
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
New Paddling Guidebook for State Canal System
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released a New York State Canalway Water Trail Guidebook and Navigational Map Set.
The complimentary guidebook and maps include a mile-by-mile description of launch sites, paddler-friendly facilities and amenities, and places of interest for over 450 miles of the NYS Canal System, which opened Friday, including the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain canals. [Read more…] about New Paddling Guidebook for State Canal System
Report: Canal Events Generate $1.5B Annually
A new study of the economic impact of events and tours in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor estimated $1.5 billion annually is generated by events, boat tours, bicycle and paddle-sport rentals and historic site/museum tours along the Erie, Champlain, Owsego and Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Events and tours drew 3.3 million visitors in 2017.
The economic analysis was conducted by Level 7 Market Research for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor through its nonprofit affiliate, the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc., and supported by a grant from Market New York through I LOVE NEW YORK, the state’s Division of Tourism, as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. [Read more…] about Report: Canal Events Generate $1.5B Annually
Waterford Tugboat Roundup Schedule Set
Music, boat rides, walk-through’s of working tugboats, food vendors, arts, crafts, kid’s activities, and fireworks are just some of what visitors can expect at the 16th annual Tugboat Roundup in Waterford the weekend after Labor Day, September 11, 12 and 13th. [Read more…] about Waterford Tugboat Roundup Schedule Set
NYS Barge Canal on National Register of Historic Places
The National Park Service has announced that it has listed the New York State Barge Canal on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation recognizes the New York State Canal System as a nationally significant work of early twentieth century engineering and construction that affected transportation and maritime commerce for nearly half a century.
The New York State Barge Canal National Register Historic District spans 450 miles and includes the four branches of the state’s canal system: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals– all much enlarged versions of waterways that were initially constructed during the 1820s. The nomination evaluated 791 features and included 552 contributing structures and buildings. [Read more…] about NYS Barge Canal on National Register of Historic Places
Call for Entries: 2014 Erie Canalway Photo Contest
Entries are being accepted through August 30, 2014 for the 9th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Winning photos will be featured in the 2015 Erie Canalway calendar, which will be available free of charge in December.
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit prints and digital images in four contest categories: Bridges, Buildings and Locks; Fun and Festivities; On the Water; and the Nature of the Canal. Images must be taken within the National Heritage Corridor, which is comprised of the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga/Seneca, and Champlain Canals, their historic alignments, and surrounding communities. [Read more…] about Call for Entries: 2014 Erie Canalway Photo Contest
Free Directory of Canal Sites and Museums Available
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has produced a new directory of canal sites and museums to introduce New York State residents and visitors to more than 45 sites all along the NYS Canal System. The directory is available at numerous canal sites and visitor centers along the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga-Seneca, and Champlain Canals.
Each site showcases a different part of the canal’s legacy—from its famous locks and low bridges, to its transformation of New York State, to the prominent role it continues to play in shaping communities along its shores. [Read more…] about Free Directory of Canal Sites and Museums Available
National Register Nomination for NYS Barge Canal
In recognition of a near century of service, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor – in collaboration with the NYS Canal Corporation, the Heritage Documentation Program of the National Park Service, and NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation – is sponsoring the nomination of the NYS Barge Canal System to the National Register of Historic Places.
The nomination includes the currently operational New York State Barge Canal, including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals. The period of significance for the nomination is 1905, when construction began, through 1963. If approved, the historic district will include over 250 structures – every lock, lift bridge, guard gate, and dry dock on the system. [Read more…] about National Register Nomination for NYS Barge Canal
Call for Entries: 2012 Erie Canalway Photo Contest
Entries are being accepted through Friday, September 7, 2012 for the 7th annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest. Winning photos will be displayed in the 2013 Erie Canalway calendar, which will be available free of charge in December.
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit prints and digital images in four contest categories: Bridges, Buildings and Locks; For the Fun of It; On the Water; and the Nature of the Canal.
The contest captures and shares the beauty, history, people, and distinctive character of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which is comprised of the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga/Seneca, and Champlain Canals, and their historic alignments, and surrounding communities.
You can download official contest rules and an entry form online.
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York, encompassing the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments, as well as more than 230 canal communities. Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, in partnership with the National Park Service, collaborates with government agencies, communities and organizations to protect and promote the canal corridor for all to use and enjoy.
Photo: 2011 First Place Photo Winner “The Locks at Lockport” by Stephen Bye.