Mar 16, 2026
The thirtieth Winter Symposium of the Canal Society of New York State began with a blast from a vintage canal boatman’s horn and, at the end of the day, closed on the same high note.
More than 150 canal enthusiasts gathered for the annual event, held March 7 at Monroe Community College in Rochester. It included several presentations, two of which celebrated the previous year’s Erie Canal bicentennial. Brian Trzeciak and Chelsea Moore of the Buffalo Maritime Center revisited the voyage of the replica Seneca Chief from Buffalo to New York City and revealed plans for its return in 2026. And 200 Years, a bicentennial music video commissioned by the Society, was introduced by President Tammee Poinan-Grimes and Captivate Media Executive Producer Chris Zdep.
Keynote speaker Ben Walsh, former Syracuse mayor and newly appointed director of the New York State Canal Corporation, introduced himself and took questions. Other presentations included one on the design and construction of the new canal tug Thomas X. Grasso and another on the historic motorship Day Peckinpaugh.
About the Canal Society of New York State
The Canal Society of New York State is a not-for-profit organization that brings together people from across the state and region who share an interest in canal history, preservation, and development. Besides the Winter Symposium, the Society sponsors two annual field trips and, in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority, manages the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park at Port Byron. To learn more about the Society, go to https://newyorkcanals.org/.