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| Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor | May 17, 2012 |
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Above: Students perform during Heritage Weekend festivities at the Erie Canal Discovery Center in Lockport (2011) |
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Celebrating Our History
The Erie Barge Canal opened 94 years ago on May 15, 1918. |
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Get Ready for New York Heritage Weekend, May 19 & 20
 More than 180 events in store statewide
The 2012 New York Heritage Weekend is almost here! On May 19th and 20th, more than 180 events will be held from New York City, north to the Canadian border, to Buffalo and all points near and far. Heritage Weekend features special programs, lectures, tours, re-enactments, and discounted admission at heritage and cultural destinations throughout New York State.
Historic sites, museums, architecturally significant buildings, battlefields, and historic districts are just some of the venues where you can expect to find Heritage Weekend events. You'll find offerings that showcase military history, arts and culture, historic waterways, innovation, architecture, freedom and dignity, traditions and cultures, and community heritage.
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Spare Seat Kayak Expedition Heads for NYC
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Richard and Glenn with well-wisher, 95-yr-old Ralph Horender in Little Falls. |
Erie Canal lauded as "World Class"
After 363 miles, 14 days, and countless hours of paddling, renowned kayakers Richard Harpham and Glenn Charles left the Erie Canal and entered the Hudson River on May 15 to complete the final leg of their adventure from Niagara Falls to the Statue of Liberty.
Along the way, the kayaking team has been treated to incredible pride and amazing hospitality at every destination and stop.
"It has been so very humbling to experience and witness such excitement and support from the local communities along the Erie Canal. Their sense of civic pride, can-do attitude and heritage is inspiring. Already we have been stunned by the range of activities on offer, heritage and history, and the potential for this world-class waterway," said Harpham.
The journey is intended to promote the waterways of New York State as a travel destination.
"This is a world class heritage area. World class," said Charles at a press event in Albany to kick off the Hudson River portion of the trip. "Both Richard and I have kayaked and bicycled all over the world and without a doubt, what you have here needs to be told, needs to be shown, needs to be shared because it is truly a special place."
The kayakers are scheduled to arrive in New York City on May 21. Follow the trip on the Spare Seat Blog >
Spare Seat is sponsored by I LOVE NEW YORK, in cooperation with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, NYS Canal Corp, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, regional tourism promotion agencies, and community hosts. |
2012 Photo Contest Kicks Off
Give us your best shot! | |
1st Place (2011), Lockport Locks by Stephen Bye |
Since 2006, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has hosted an annual photo contest to capture the beauty, history, people, and distinctive character of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Winning images become the basis for our popular annual calendar.
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit prints and digital images in four contest categories: Bridges, Buildings and Locks; For the Fun of It; On the Water; and The Nature of the Canal. Deadline for entries is September 7, 2012. |
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Erie Canalway Heritage Showcase Focuses on Canalfront Revitalization
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Bill Andrews leads a tour of Brockport's Canalfront Welcome Center. |
Our first Heritage Showcase workshop took place on May 2nd in the Village of Brockport. Participants from other communities met with a Brockport's key leaders and toured its waterfront visitor center and Main Street to learn from Brockport's experience.
Representatives from the Village of Brockport shared not only what they did to make the village and waterfront attractive for residents and visitors, but how they did it. From developing a plan to organizing volunteers to funding projects, participants gained practical ideas and inspiration.
The full, open discussion led to productive information exchange for all involved. In the words of one participant, "Being on site with a group of people that have experience was very helpful. Experience is the best teacher."
Many thanks to the Village of Brockport and the NYS Canal Corporation for helping us host the event!
SAVE THE DATE! Friday, September 7, 2012, 1-5 pm
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Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, P.O. Box 219, Waterford, New York 12188
(518) 237-7000
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, established in 2000 by an Act of Congress, spans 524 miles across the full expanse of upstate New York. It includes the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals and their historic alignments. The Corridor encompasses 4,834 square miles in 23 counties and is home to 2.7 million people. |
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