Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley Mini Symposium at the Arkell Museum

The Mini Symposium is on Saturday, March 28^th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Fort Hunter, NY – Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is excited to announce the “Erie Canal in the Mohawk Valley Mini Symposium,” occurring on Saturday, March 28^th 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.

The Erie Canal celebrated its bicentennial in 2025, bringing to light the significance of our waterway to America. As we recognize America 250 starting this year, we are looking to demonstrate the importance of the canal on shaping the way the nation grew. 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.

Presentations from historians cover a variety of topics

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. If you’d like more information about the program, please contact David at Schoharie Crossing via email david.brooks@parks.ny.gov or call (518) 829-7516.

For more information about the venue, please contact Mary at the Arkell Museum via email:malexander@mvls.info or call (518) 673-2314.

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