Mormonism, women’s suffrage, abolition and novel ideas about criminal justice all sprang to life in the fertile lands along the Canal corridor.
Story by Sadiya Kherani
As upstate New York boomed in the decades after the Canal opened, it attracted a peculiar industry: prisons.
Story by Claire Harrison
Using the Erie Canal, Joseph Smith Jr. spread his new gospel and paved his way into religious canon.
Story by Kendall Luther
More than a trade route, the Erie Canal was a conduit for change, inspiring new ideas and connecting activists.
Story by Madeleine Oliveras
Canal laborers introduced styles and processes that are appreciated by breweries and beer lovers today.
Story by Jack Belanger
Early squads from Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester have a rich history that continues to impact America’s pastime today.
Story by Julia Carden
The Town of Lyons honors its history producing mint oils and Erie Canal roots through art and preservation.
Story by Nate Harrington
The rise and fall of New York cities mirrors the growth of the Canal that created them.
Story by Pablo Bauzá
Water gave life to the town in Herkimer County, continuing to nurture the home of one of the Erie Canal’s biggest locks.
Story by Michela Flood
Discover how the Erie Canal connected communities, fueled economic growth and continues and transformed New York and the nation for 200 years.
