Celebrating the Erie Canal’s 200th Anniversary in Lockport
Lockport prepares for the Erie Canal’s bicentennial with events and a replica boat’s historic journey
Erie Canal, Lockport, New York, Bicentennial, Seneca Chief, Documentary
Lockport: The replica Seneca Chief, now called The Erie Canal Boat, is spending the winter in the Flight of Five locks. This is all part of the lead-up to the big 2025 celebration for the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary.
This wooden boat was built mostly by volunteers over nearly four years. It made its first visit to Lockport in early August for a three-day sea trial between Buffalo and Rochester. People got to check it out during free guided tours, and it was a hit!
Lockport is special because it was the first stop on the boat’s sea trial, just like back in 1825 when the original Seneca Chief arrived. It’s a neat way to connect the past with what’s coming up next fall.
David Kinyon, who heads the Lockport Locks Heritage District Corporation board, pointed out that when Gov. DeWitt Clinton sailed from Buffalo on the original boat, Lockport was the first to celebrate. And guess what? Lockport will be first again during the bicentennial celebration!
The Erie Canal Boat will set off from Canalside in Buffalo on September 24, making its first stop in Lockport that same day. It’s all part of the “wedding of the waters” event, linking Lake Erie and New York Harbor.
This bicentennial voyage kicks off right before the World Canals Conference 2025 in Buffalo, where a new documentary called “America’s Stairway” will premiere. It highlights the importance of the Flight of Five locks.
In July, local businesses rallied to raise the last bit of funding needed for the film, and they succeeded! Filming is mostly done, and they expect to have the final product ready by mid-2025. There’s even a showing scheduled at the Historic Palace Theatre on September 26.
To get ready for the big anniversary, Mayor John Lombardi III set up the Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee. They’re planning 200 events starting in January, and they’re looking for local groups and businesses to help out. If you want to get involved, you can reach out to Grace Platt.
The Erie Canal Boat will stay in Lockport until May, then it’ll head back to Canalside to prepare for its big journey.