Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley mini-Symposium

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is excited to announce the “Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley Mini Symposium,” occurring on Saturday, March 28th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie. This program will offer presentations highlighting the canal’s importance locally, regionally, and nationally.

Presentations to focus on Erie Canal history

During this symposium there will be presentations by Mary Alexander of the Arkell Museum, Scott Haefner of Montgomery County Historical Society at Old Fort Johnson, historian Kelly Farquhar of Montgomery County Department of History and Archives, Derrick Pratt of the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, and Craig Williams from the Canal Society of New York State. Each will discuss an aspect of canal history that connects and relates to our lives today.

Haefner will discuss “The Erie Canal in Schenectady” as he takes a look at the route the canal took through the city. Farquhar will speak on Thomas James and his search for freedom from enslavement in the canal era. Pratt will explore the journey along the canal by DeWitt Clinton in 1825 on the Seneca Chief, and what a similar experience might be like today. Williams will provide an examination of the Albert Gayer collection held by the Canal Society, featuring local images, postcards, and more.

This program is free and open to the public.

If you’d like to explore the Arkell exhibits, they will be open from 10:00am to 5:00pm that day. Admission for the exhibits is $10.00 for adults, $7.50 for seniors. For more information, please contact David at Schoharie Crossing via email david.brooks@parks.ny.gov or call (518) 829-7516.