A Series of Commemorative Events in Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Building of the Erie Canal
Pine Street Erie Canal House Museum Exhibit – May 13 – September 16, 2023
Location: Port Byron Historical Society Lock 52 House Museum, 73 Pine Street, Port Byron, NY
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM; Saturdays, By Appointment
In honor of the celebration of the building and opening of the Erie Canal, the Lock 52 Historical Society of Port Byron and Montezuma Historical Society will present a 2023 series of programs. The opening of the canal served as a conduit for social change, bringing reformers in the abolition and the Underground Railroad, suffrage, and religious movements to communities in central and western New York. The canal’s towpath served as a route to freedom for slaves on the Underground Railroad.
A display of original artworks from Port Byron and Montezuma depicting early community life revolving along the Erie Canal will be on display at Port Byron Lock 52 Historical Society’s Pine Street House Museum. The exhibit will feature a unique collection of paintings, murals artwork, and drawings illustrating iconic scenes of the early Erie Canal era. These images document the first opened navigation in this area in the 1820s and throughout the Enlarged Erie Canal era. Some of the artists are locally known, while others originate from as far away as Ireland and have captured life along the Erie Canal.
In addition to the public programs below a special presentation will be made to Port Byron High School art students and 4th Graders at the Samuel Center for Canal History on May 19th. Len Tantillo and Art Cohn will inspire students to learn how art and history can come alive by creating a bridge to the past.
Morning Tour along the Towpath – Saturday, May 20, 2023 (weather permitting), Time: 10 AM – 11:30 AM
NOTE — we are watching the weather closely for Saturday’s tour. Check here for updates before heading out.
Location: Montezuma Heritage Park, High Street Kiosk Park entrance, Montezuma, NY
A guided historic walking tour along the Enlarged Erie Canal towpath to the Richmond Aqueduct and the site of the original crossing through the Seneca River. (.8 mile). Follow the original path to the second-largest aqueduct built on the Enlarged Erie Canal. While there we will visit the site of the Clinton’s Ditch era Lock 62 leading to the slack-water crossing where a towpath bridge spanned 1300 feet through the river and Cayuga Marshes. For map location and more about this site, visit: https://townofmontezuma.org/visit-the-park/
Conversations: Painting and Diving for Erie Canal History
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 2 PM
Location: Samuel Center for Canal History, 36 Rochester Street, Port Byron, NY
A special opening event will bring together an internationally known artist and an underwater investigator. Len Tantillo will unveil his newest painting inspired by a unique and unusual historic towpath bridge spanning the Seneca River in Montezuma to allow vessels to make the crossing on the newly opened Erie Canal. Art Cohn, the Principal Investigator of a recent Seneca Lake Archaeological Survey will join Len to share his team’s discoveries of early sunken canal boats. Together they will weave the story of the underwater expedition that led to the artistic interpretation resulting in Len’s latest painting.
Open House & Meet & Greet Dawn Jordan, Muralist
Saturday, June 10, 2023 – 10 AM-2 PM
Location: Port Byron Lock 52 Historical Society House Museum, 73 Pine Street, Port Byron, NY
Dawn Jordan is our 2023 Artist in Residence for this year’s Erie Canal Art Exhibit. During this special Open House Dawn, and local historians Mike Riley and Cheryl Longyear share conversations about creating Dawn’s Port Byron and Montezuma canal-themed murals and the fascinating history behind them.
For More Information: Email: lock52hs@gmail.com
