We are pleased to announce the return of the Pathway of Resistance walking tour, examining African-American experiences on and along the banks of the Erie Canal, from the waterway's beginnings to contemporary times. While the legacies of slavery and systemic racism can be uncomfortable to discuss, it is crucial for these issues to be be […]

Join us for a guided walking tour of historic Downtown Syracuse, exploring the same path where the famous waterway once ran. The tour begins at the entrance to the Erie Canal Museum, winding through Clinton and Hanover Squares before ending back at the Museum. The tour covers about a mile and lasts about an hour. […]

The Genesee Valley Canal was one of the more audacious canals constructed by New York State following the completion of the Erie Canal. Despite its relatively short lifespan and lack of financial success, it nonetheless had a transformative impact on the Genesee Valley. Join Museum Educator Derrick Pratt in exploring this fascinating canal. This talk […]

Have you wanted to experience the Erie Canal Museum's Beers, Bikes, and Barges events but don't bike? You're in luck! Explore Erie Canal history by foot, then enjoy a pint at a local brewery in this special event! An hour-long walking tour will take guests along the new Empire State Trail through Downtown Syracuse, highlighting […]

Join us as we uncover the story of Irishman David Vaughan’s life, from his expertise in drafting maps to his reflections of life on the Erie Canal. Vaughan was an Irish immigrant who came to Albany in the late 1840s. He became recognized for his talent drafting maps and plans, as well as his observations […]

Each year the Erie Canal Museum transforms into a festive 1800’s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. In a typical year, we see over 6,000 visitors during the Gingerbread Gallery!    Before or after you visit the Gingerbread Gallery, be sure to explore the rest of the Museum. We […]

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 […]

Join Erie Canal Museum Director of Education & Public Programming Derrick Pratt in exploring what he at first thought was just a fairly normal painting of man leading a team of horses pulling a canal boat that instead revealed an intriguing tale of political corruption and the waning days of the towpath era canal. Available […]

Patrick Ryan from the Buffalo History Museum will discuss William Wells Brown, who escaped slavery and risked his life to help others find freedom. In his spare time, he taught himself to read and write, lectured on the evils of slavery, and was the first African American to publish a novel and, later, a play. […]