With the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 the United States experienced a period of “Canal Mania,” resulting in the construction of thousands of miles of the canals throughout the country. While most attempted to emulate the Erie Canal in its economic success, the realities of geography, finances, politics, and engineering necessitated that each canal be unique in its own special way. This roundtable, featuring Rod Mackler of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association, Bill Merchant of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Historical Society, Derrick Pratt of the Erie Canal Museum, and Tim Roth of the Canal Society of New Jersey, will examine four of these unique canals, looking at their similarities and differences while having an engaging exchange on 19th century American canals.

This talk will be presented via Zoom. Attendance is FREE with a recommended $10 donation. You can register here: https://eriecanalmuseum.org/store/product/lecture/

This program was funded in part by Humanities New York with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities