Erie Canalway Heritage Fund

In 2025, we commemorate the Erie Canal, or “The Canal that Transformed America.” This human made waterway quite literally opened the American interior, allowing for the flow of goods from the Midwest to New York City and vice versa. Before the construction of the Erie Canal, American goods going to the coast or across the Atlantic needed to be transported down the Mississippi River through New Orleans, which made it a premier port for its time, along with Baltimore and Philadelphia. Once the canal came along, New York City eclipsed all others to become America’s commercial capital. Learn more about the canal’s impact on New York State and the nation here: https://buff.ly/40jvXZN 📸: Along the Docks, NYC Courtesy of Canal Society of NYS #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #ErieCanal200 #ErieCanalBicentennial

America’s most famous canal system connects us to a proud past and a vibrant future. Thanks to the dedication and skill of countless generations of canal employees, community champions, volunteers, and local, state, and federal organizations and agencies, this ribbon of water has remained a vital and enduring national treasure for 200 years. We’re looking forward to a year full of commemorations. Happy New Year to all. 📸: Northumberland, Susan Meyer

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season. 📸: Little Falls, John Wilcox

Thank you to Hornbeck Boats for supporting our organization and helping us with their sponsorship of the NYS Canalway Water Trail and its programs.

Explore the extraordinary impact of the Erie Canal from New York City to Buffalo when you join the @World Canals Conference pre-conference tour, September 16-20, 2025. Follow in the footsteps of waves of immigrants who came to America, expanding its cultural diversity, sparking social change, and building the Empire State and nation. As you travel across the state, you’ll visit four national historic parks, two state historic sites, and other significant destinations along New York’s canal system. Find details about the America’s Gateway Tour and book now to reserve your spot! https://buff.ly/3VM0gW7

The Canalway Challenge is celebrating new milestones after another year of incredible impact. Since 2019, 10,000 participants have walked, ran, cycled, and paddled over 2 million miles, resulting in an estimated $5 million in economic impact. Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and helped us spread the word about this impactful program and congratulations to this years’ finishers!

Buffalo transformed the area that once served as the terminus of the Erie Canal into a large waterfront park, with events, activities, museums, and a shallow recreated canal. Skating there amidst the holiday lights is not to be missed. 📸: Canalside, Buffalo, Claire Talbot

Be part of World Canals Conference 2025 in Buffalo! Submit a proposal by January 15, 2025 to present your expertise, passions, and big ideas. We can’t wait to collaborate with you! https://lnkd.in/dE-NDjnm

Happy holidays! Did you know? 🎅 Santa will have 3 million stops to make in the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor this year, where nearly 80% of the population of Upstate New York lives. Part of our mission is to foster vibrant communities for all residents and make this extraordinary waterway a better place to live, work and play. 📸: Tonawanda, Neil Ferguson

Join our team! The Erie Canalway in partnership with the National Park Service is hiring an Outdoor Recreation Planner. This unique partnership position will support recreational opportunities across the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in addition to four partner NPS sites: Saratoga National Historical Park, Fort Stanwix National Monument, Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, and Women’s Rights National Historical Park. The position is based in Waterford, NY. Deadline to apply is 12/18/2024. Apply here: https://buff.ly/4iAbXc8 #Hiring #ErieCanalway #ErieCanal #NationalParkService #NPS