The Erie Canal 200 Years of Connection
Exhibit Closed
In 1825, a bold new waterway reshaped America—linking Albany to Buffalo and launching New York as the Empire State, providing access to the American West for the movement of people, goods and ideas. This exhibit honors the full story of the Erie Canal — and the people, past and present, who impacted its course. Today, the Erie Canal is more than a memory. It’s a living thread of recreation, resilience and revival. Across New York, we’re revitalizing canal infrastructure, restoring ecosystems and reconnecting communities to the iconic waterway in their backyards. The bicentennial isn’t a finale. It’s the start of a new chapter. Find out what’s next—and how you can be part of it.