The Erie Canal is 200 years old this year
By Kathryn Ross, Vice President Thelma Rogers, Genealogical and Historical Society
WELLSVILLE – You’ve sung the song. You know some of its history, but there’s a lot more to know about the Erie Canal and how it changed New York State.
Wednesday, the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society will host a program featuring historian Craig Braack. An entertaining and informative speaker Braack will offer insights and facts about the construction of the Erie Canal and the development of the Genesee Barge Canal. While the Erie Canal stretched across the state from ‘Albany to Buffalo,’ the Genesee Barge Canal ran along the Genesee River. It entered the county in Fillmore. Remnants of canal buildings are still located in Fillmore and Belfast.
The Erie Canal is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. It was completed and opened in October 1824 and was referred to as Clinton’s Folly, after Governor DeWitt Clinton supported its construction. The 363 mile long, 40 feet wide waterway was expanded in 1905. It cost $7 million to build, which was recouped in the first year with fees from 33,000 shipments. Shipping on the Erie Canal ended in 1994 and today it serves the state as a recreational and tourist attraction.
Barack, who is the former Allegany County Historian, will begin his talk and slideshow presentation at 6 p.m., May 14th in the Gallery at the David A Howe Library. The talk is free and open to the public
The TRG&HS owns and operates the Nathaniel Dike Museum, located on Dyke Street in the village. With its multiple displays and archives it preserves a plethora of genealogical information pertaining to local families. The museum also offers displays of memorabilia from its high school Lion’s Den, local businesses and village history to a collection of firefighting equipment and paraphernalia. It is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays from now until October 31st. Admission is free. The public is encouraged to visit this tiny gym housed in the former Dyke Street Engin Company firehall. Visits at other times may be arranged by calling 585-593-6724 or by dropping into the museum.
The Society looks forward to seeing you at Braack’s Erie Canal program.
