Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Prepares for Bicentennial While Expanding Programs
As the Erie Canal approaches its 200th anniversary in 2025, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (ECNHC) has spent the past year laying the groundwork for upcoming bicentennial celebrations while also strengthening its existing programs. According to the ECNHC’s 2024 Annual Report, the organization has made strides in education, tourism, historic preservation, and community engagement along the 524-mile waterway that helped shape New York and the nation.
One of the major achievements of 2024 was the nearly twofold increase in student participation in canal-related educational programs. More than 6,400 students from 36 school districts took part in field trips and virtual learning experiences through the Erie Canal Learning Hub. Teachers and students accessed online resources over 100,000 times, indicating growing engagement with canal history and science.
Outdoor recreation also saw a boost, with a record number of participants joining the Canalway Challenge, which encourages walking, cycling, and paddling along the canal. Participants logged more than 344,600 miles in 2024, with the total mileage logged since the program began surpassing two million.
To bolster heritage tourism, ECNHC awarded $196,349 in grants to 45 nonprofit organizations and municipalities. These funds supported 37 events and eight infrastructure projects, drawing over 140,000 attendees. Additionally, ECNHC and the New York State Canal Corporation conducted an amenities assessment to enhance services for boaters, paddlers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The corridor also launched a major grant program focusing on the Mohawk Valley, helping fund preservation projects at sites such as the Montgomery County Courthouse in Fonda and Old Fort Johnson in Fort Johnson. Meanwhile, work continued on the Matton Shipyard Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Initiative in Cohoes, with efforts to stabilize historic structures and improve public access.
As part of preparations for the canal’s bicentennial, ECNHC provided marketing toolkits and promotional materials to more than 600 communities and organizations. Efforts included producing social media reels, banners, videos, and informational graphics to raise awareness of the milestone. Additionally, plans are in place for the 2025 World Canals Conference in Buffalo, which is expected to draw international attention.
The ECNHC, established by Congress in 2000, continues to work alongside federal, state, and local partners to maintain and promote the historic canal system. The organization also relies on volunteers, such as the 79 stewards who helped maintain 410 miles of the NYS Canalway Water Trail in 2024.
With the momentum of 2024 setting the stage, ECNHC officials remain focused on ensuring that the Erie Canal’s rich history and economic impact will be celebrated well into the future. More information on programs and upcoming bicentennial events can be found at www.eriecanalway.org.