Preservation
Protecting and Restoring the Erie Canal’s Historic Structures and Sites
Across New York State, dedicated organizations are working to preserve, restore, and maintain the historic structures and sites of the Erie Canal. From original locks and aqueducts to canal-era buildings and towpaths, these preservation efforts ensure that future generations can experience and learn from this extraordinary piece of American history.
Below is a directory of active preservation and restoration efforts along the Erie Canal corridor. If you know of a preservation project not listed here, please contact us to have it included.
Erie Canal Village — Rome, NY
FEATURED PRESERVATION EFFORT
Erie Canal Village sits on the hallowed ground where construction of the Erie Canal began on July 4, 1817. The site preserves the original canal bed, towpath, and a collection of historic 19th-century buildings. The Erie Canal Foundation, in partnership with Cross Roads Redemption Church, is working toward full stewardship of this irreplaceable site. Current preservation priorities include stabilization and restoration of historic structures, canal bed and towpath maintenance, artifact preservation and cataloging, and development of enhanced interpretive exhibits. The Foundation’s vision is to make Erie Canal Village the premier educational destination for Erie Canal history in New York State.
Organization: Erie Canal Foundation / Cross Roads Redemption Church
Status: Active — Ongoing preservation and future transition planning
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Managed by the National Park Service, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor spans 524 miles across New York State. Preservation efforts include maintaining historic lock structures, canal prisms, aqueducts, and associated buildings along the entire corridor. The NPS provides technical assistance and grants to local preservation organizations.
Organization: National Park Service
Status: Active — Federal heritage corridor designation since 2000
New York State Canal Corporation
A subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, the Canal Corporation oversees the operation and maintenance of the modern canal system. Their preservation work includes maintenance of 57 active locks across the system, ongoing dredging and infrastructure repairs, towpath and trail improvements along the Canalway Trail, and bridge and guard gate restoration projects.
Organization: NY Power Authority / Canal Corporation
Status: Active — Ongoing operations and capital improvements
Erie Canal Museum — Syracuse, NY
The Erie Canal Museum preserves the 1850 Weighlock Building — the last remaining canal boat weighing station in the world. The museum houses an extensive collection of canal artifacts, documents, and photographs. Current preservation efforts focus on Weighlock Building structural maintenance, artifact conservation and digitization, oral history documentation, and educational exhibit development.
Organization: Erie Canal Museum
Status: Active — Open year-round
Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site — Fort Hunter, NY
Preserves the remains of three eras of the canal at one location — including the original 1825 canal, the Enlarged Erie Canal, and the modern Barge Canal. Features the only remaining set of seven arches from an original aqueduct.
Organization: NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Status: Active — Open seasonally
Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum — Chittenango, NY
Preserves a 19th-century canal boat dry dock where boats were built and repaired. The site includes sunken canal boats, a dry dock structure, sawmill, and blacksmith shop — all providing insight into the industrial operations that kept the canal running.
Organization: Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum
Status: Active — Open seasonally May through October