The Erie Canal started it's construction 200 years ago on July 4, 1817, in Rome N.Y. In a ceremony, local contractor Samual Richardson was the first to turn his spade into the ground. The Erie Canal construction was underway.

The Erie Canal's 200th anniversary is prompting many celebrations including the Albany

There were no people who knew how to engineer or build a canal, and they taught themselves. They were guys from the Mohawk Valley, and we're very proud of them

Symphony Orchestra. Free concerts called Water Music NY are offered along the canal in Little Falls, Baldwinsville, Brockport, and Lockport.  Due to significant flooding at Rotary Park in Little Falls, the Albany Symphony's concert has been moved to the rain location at Little Falls High School. The unique musical experience 200 years in the making is free and starts at 8 pm.

A new exhibit that tells canal stories is open at the Rome Historical SocietyPatrick Reynolds, the Museum Educator, says it tells the story of the canal before it was the Erie Canal. "It tells the story of the Erie Canal, the influence of the canal, life on the canal, and we're happy to have on loan in the exhibit a painting of Benjamin Wright, who was the Chief Engineer from Rome and we have the survey level which was very important because the canal was the first school of engineering in the United States. There were no people who knew how to engineer or build a canal, and they taught themselves. They were guys from the Mohawk Valley, and we're very proud of them." Some people called the Erie Canal Clintons Ditch or Clinton's Folley because they didn't think it was going to work

There are top level speakers come to the Rome Historical Society, the first is "The Erie Canal - The Early Years" with Senior Historian from the NYS Museum Craig Williams. Join him July 12 for an illustrated overview of how people of NYS learned to survey, design, and construct the Erie Canal.

On July 19, Duncan Hay, Historian of the Eric Canal National Heritage Corridor will discuss the importance of Rome, Lake Delta, and the engineering marvel of the canal in "Water For The Canal."

Celebrate the Bi-Centennial of the Erie Canal at the Rome Historical Society. They're open Tuesday through Friday 9 - 3 and Saturday 10 - 2.


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