Canal Keepers

Take a ride on the Seneca Chief, a replica canal boat on a voyage along the original Erie Canal to commemorate – and reflect on the legacy – of the canal 200 years after the "Wedding of the Waters."

Take a ride on the Seneca Chief, a replica canal boat on a voyage along the original Erie Canal to commemorate – and reflect on the legacy – of the canal 200 years after the "Wedding of the Waters."

Take a ride on the Seneca Chief, a replica canal boat on a voyage along the original Erie Canal to commemorate – and reflect on the legacy – of the canal 200 years after the "Wedding of the Waters."

Matt Kahn, co-founder of  Big Ditch Brewing Company , shares his journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry to beer fermentation. Matt paired his scientific background and drew inspiration from the Erie Canal to open a thriving brewery in downtown Buffalo. Big Ditch continues a centuries-long tradition of beer-making and drinking in Upstate New York that followed the route of the canal. G...

Paranormal expert and author  Mason Winfield  delves into legends that have shrouded western New York for over a century, including a mysterious serpent sighting in the Erie Canal and a feminist ghost who warns railroad travelers of danger. Mason recounts chilling stories and discusses his mission to bridge academic research and public fascination with the supernatural. Read about other myths and...

Scholars Danielle Nagle, Dana Olesch and Renee Barry  challenge the Erie Canal’s traditional narratives  and examine its unintended consequences on marginalized communities. These new history teachers are on an educational journey to reexamine the complex history of the canal and forgotten stories of New York’s “engineering marvel.” Learn more about the history of the Erie Canal and its effect on...

Mark DeCracker, an artist from Lyons, New York, has spent the last 17 years working to preserve history using community art. As the founder of Erie Restoration Interests Everyone (E.R.I.E.), Mark works with local communities and artists to help restore and renew the Erie Canal. One of the main restoration projects is  Mural Mania : an ongoing art mission that places historical murals throughout to...

Kate Littrell, senior environmental scientist with the New York Power Authority, helps manage invasive species in the Erie Canal. One such species is the round goby, who made their way into the Erie Canal from the Black and Caspian seas and now threaten the canal’s ecosystem. Learn about what scientists and researchers are doing to combat future threats to the canal’s ecosystem at canalkeeperspod....

George Ward, a folk musician with deep ties to the Erie Canal, started making canal-inspired tunes over 40 years ago. George has used music to advocate for the canal and give back to communities across New York state. Hear snippets of his songs accompanied by instruments including the accordion and a juice harp (yes, that is a real instrument). Listen to the other artists making music about “Clint...