May 12, 2025
On Zoom. Registration required: Chapman Museum
Speaker: Patrick Stenshorn, Education Program Manager at the Erie Canalway National
Heritage Corridor
The Erie Canal, one of the most transformative transportation routes in American history, marks its 200th anniversary this year. When the canal opened in 1825, its effects on New York and the United States were immediate. This presentation will provide an overview of the canal’s history from its origins to today, including connections to 19th-century industrial growth, population booms, social movements, and more. Join us to explore how the canal has evolved from a driving force of New York State’s commercial activity to a historic waterway used for recreation and heritage tourism today.