Canal Keepers tells the story of today’s Erie Canal – highlighting the people who live and work along the canal, maintaining its relevance after 200 years.
To highlight the voices of those who live the everyday realities of the canal as its bicentennial approaches, our reporters traveled to cities and towns such as Buffalo, Syracuse, Clyde and Geneva to tell stories about the current state of the canal, and provide insight on what it means to work to research, preserve and reflect on this historic site.
On CanalKeepersPod.com you’ll find feature stories, photo galleries, timelines and other multimedia. We also hope you listen to our podcast to hear more about the complexities and dynamic stories of the canal.
Episode 1: Buffalo’s Brewing Legacy
Matt Kahn, co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company, shares his journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry to beer fermentation. Matt paired his scientific background and drew inspiration from the Erie Canal to open a thriving brewery in downtown Buffalo. Big Ditch continues a centuries-long tradition of beer-making and drinking in Upstate New York that followed the route of the canal.
Episode 2: Eerie Encounters
Paranormal expert and author Mason Winfield delves into legends that have shrouded western New York for over a century, including a mysterious serpent sighting in the Erie Canal and a feminist ghost who warns railroad travelers of danger. Mason recounts chilling stories and discusses his mission to bridge academic research and public fascination with the supernatural.
Episode 3: The Erie Canal Beyond History Class
Scholars Danielle Nagle, Dana Olesch and Renee Barry challenge the Erie Canal’s traditional narratives and examine its unintended consequences on marginalized communities. These new history teachers are on an educational journey to reexamine the complex history of the canal and forgotten stories of New York’s “engineering marvel.”
Episode 4: The Canal as a Canvas
Mark DeCracker, an artist from Lyons, New York, has spent the last 17 years working to preserve history using community art. As the founder of Erie Restoration Interests Everyone (E.R.I.E.), Mark works with local communities and artists to help restore and renew the Erie Canal. One of the main restoration projects is Mural Mania: an ongoing art mission that places historical murals throughout towns and villages along the canal. Mark says the Mural Mania Trail has become the longest mural trail in the world, with over 75 murals and more in production.
Episode 5: Catch of the Day: The Round Goby
Kate Littrell, senior environmental scientist with the New York Power Authority, helps manage invasive species in the Erie Canal. One such species is the round goby, which made its way into the Erie Canal from the Black and Caspian seas and now threatens the canal’s ecosystem.
Episode 6: Canal Folk
George Ward, a folk musician with deep ties to the Erie Canal, started making canal-inspired tunes over 40 years ago. George has used music to advocate for the canal and give back to communities across New York state. Hear snippets of his songs accompanied by instruments including the accordion and a juice harp (yes, that is a real instrument).
