Lyons NY Celebrates Bicentennial Of Erie Canal With Season Long List Of Events

Lyon’s is once again at the top of the list when it comes to Erie Canal Communities. As the bi-centennial of the construction of the Erie Canal begins in 2017, Lyons has become the first community to develop an overall schedule of events for the coming season.

Beginning in April, Lyons has brought together both governmental and community organizations to stage events in conjunction with the community’s connection to the Erie Canal  

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The Erie Canal Museum

As we begin on our path through the bi-centennial celebration you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the Erie Canal Museum. The museum is located at 318 Erie Blvd. East in Syracuse, collects and preserves Canal material, and provides engaging educational experiences that champion an appreciation and understanding of the Erie Canal’s transforming effects on the past, present and future.

The museum sits within the only remaining weigh lock building in the United States. When the Erie Canal Museum opened its doors on October 25th, 1962 it celebrated and preserved the life of this building

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Oneida County History Center Announces Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference

Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference Set For May      

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.

The Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference 200 will take place on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Oneida County History Center, 1608 Genesee Street, in Utica. On Saturday, May 20 a bus tour will take those in attendance on an all-day bus tour of significant canal sites in Utica and then proceed to Rome. On Sunday, May 21 the conference will end with a two-hour canal boat tour from Herkimer.

At Friday’s program six speakers will discuss the history, engineering aspects, and significance of the canal. Featured will be state historian Devin Lander, Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Craig Williams, Thomas Grasso, Dana Kruger, and Christine O’Neil.

Registration information will be released in mid-April through local media and at the conference website.

Bicentennial Events Along The Erie Canal 2017

Celebrations Statewide Marking the 200th. Anniversary of the Start of the Construction of The Erie Canal

                                                                   May 19.             Kick Off for Erie Canal Bicentennial & Ceremonial Opening for

                                                                                                 Seasonal Navigation Waterford

                                                                  June 9-10.        Celebrations at Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge

                                                                                                 Amsterdam & Schoharie Crossing Historic Site. Fort Hunter

                                                                  July 8                 Flight of Five – Canal Bicentennial Celebration Lockport

                                                                  July 10-22        VoteTilla, Navigation Celebration on the Erie Canal Honoring

                                                                                                 Women’s Suffrage Centennial

                                                                  July 14-15          Erie Canal Bicentennial Forum & Family Day Rochester

                                                                  July 22               Ceremonial Erie Canal Groundbreaking & Celebration Rome

                                                                  Sept. 16              Canal Exhibit Opening, New York State Museum Albany

                                                                  Sept. 24-28       2017 World Canals Conference, Syracuse

                                                                  Sept.                    National TV Debut of WCNY Public Media’s Erie Canal

                                                                                                 Documentary

In addition there will be Special Events throughout the system.  Watch for Updates  including

         Performances by the Albany Symphony Orchestra & Syracuse Symphonic

         Tours by the Replica Canal Schooner Lois McClure

         Glass Blowing Demos on Corning Museum’s Glass Barge

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                 

Susan B Anthony Museum Announces VoteTilla event to mark suffrage centennial

The National Susan B Anthony Museum House has announced a weeklong navigational celebration which will take place along the Erie Canal from July 16th – July 22nd. 2017. A core group of canal boats will set out from Seneca Falls and travel to Rochester concluding with a celebration at the Susan B Anthony Museum on Madison Street in Rochester.

Throughout the trip VoteTilla boats will dock at several towns and villages along the route. Residents and partner organizations will be invited to share in the celebration. Current partners include Bristol Valley Theatre, Canal Society of New York State, The City of Rochester, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, The RIT Women’s and Gender Studies Coordinating Committee, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Susan B Anthony Neighborhood Association, The Seward House and the University of Rochester’s Susan B Anthony Center for Women’s Leadership.

Superintendent Ami Ghazala stated, “The National Park Service at Women’s Rights National Historical Park is thrilled to partner with women’s organizations in the Finger Lakes. We strive to bring attention to historical and current stories that highlight the diversity of the United States.

National Women’s Hall of Fame president Jeanne Giovannini stated, “This consortium will strengthen the ties and collaboration among these cultural and historical organizations, helping to bring national and international attention to the Finger Lakes Region for its significance and place in our nation’s history in the promotion of human rights”

“VoteTilla will be a vivid reminder of the work and cooperation required to secure the vote for women, “says Anthony Museum president & CEO Deborah L Hughes. “Educational, historical and civic organizations and community members of all ages can come together to host events, greet the passing boats, and participate in special events, on both land and water”

The VoteTilla celebration immediately follows both the July 4th. Bicentennial Celebration of the New York State Canals, and the Convention Days weekend in Seneca Falls.

For information on partnering with the Susan B Anthony Museum for this special event, please email or call their office at (585) 279-7490