By Jacquie Owens
BPL Adult Services Librarian
The Erie Canal was an immense feat of engineering in the 19th century. It transformed towns into cities by speeding up commerce throughout New York State, including Baldwinsville. I have lived all my life near the Erie. I grew up in Buffalo, which flourished as a result of the canal. I’ve lived in Rochester where the original Erie Canal of the 1820’s flowed over the Genesee River in the center of the city, atop a huge aqueduct. In Syracuse, many memorable activities are still celebrated at Clinton Square even though the water no longer flows through downtown. Baldwinsville grew from the wider and deeper New York State Barge Canal, the child of the original Erie Canal.
Baldwinsville Public Library is offering an Erie Canal Days Series of monthly lectures. Derrick Pratt from the Erie Canal Museum will regale us with stories and pictures from the spark of an idea to the completion of the bigger, better Barge Canal. He will talk about the Canal’s contributions to the Underground Railway, brewing in Syracuse, food transportation, and more! There will be snippets of Baldwinsville history!
Each monthly lecture will be available in person and remotely. Registration is encouraged for those that will be coming in person and required to get the Zoom link.
Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.: Pathways of Resistance: The Erie Canal and the Underground Railroad
March 21, 6:30 p.m.: Basics of the Erie Canal: An Engineering Marvel
April 4, 6:30 p.m.: The Conception of the Erie Canal: From Political Wrangling to Building
May 16, 6:30 p.m.: Erie Canal Eats: The Erie Canalway Food Project
June 20, 6:30 p.m.: The Beer-ie was A-Risin’: Brewing on the Erie Canal
Register on our online library calendar.
Questions? Call the library at 315-635-5631 or email us at info@ bville.lib.ny.us.
