Macedon Makes a Splash at the World Canal Conference 2025!
The World Canal Conference was held in Buffalo, NY from September 21st through the 24th. Several hundred people from around the world came to see what people in the United States were doing with their canals. And what better time to hold this event than during the year that we celebrate the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal.
The conference included a variety of special tours, exhibits and workshops. Two of these events were especially important to me as the Macedon Historian. The important role that the canal played in helping with the westward expansion of people, along with the engineering marvel itself was cause to celebrate. It’s hard to imagine the impact the Erie Canal had on the economies of our state and region. The time it took to ship goods and people as well as the cost decreased dramatically. “Clinton’s Ditch” was an extraordinary accomplishment!
The Conference was held in downtown Buffalo. However, the launch of the 1825 Seneca Chief occurred at what is referred to as Canalside. It is an old commercial port that has been revitalized. The Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park is on the same property. Here you can visit and tour the USS Little Rock, USS Sullivan and the USS Croaker.
Also, on the site is the Buffalo Maritime Center and Museum. It is at this location that the replica of the 1825 Seneca Chief was built. The boat is 73-foot-long and 44-ton. It’s bright yellow with white, green and brown trim makes it a sight to see on the water. The boat was built by a volunteer crew of 218 people who wanted to be part of this extraordinary project! They worked under the tutelage of the Buffalo Maritime Center.
On Wednesday the Seneca Chief was launched with great fanfare. The celebration began with speeches from many different representatives. It included those involved in building and those involved in promoting the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal. It also included representatives from the Haudenosaunee and African American cultures. The importance of remembering our past and the impact on our local Native American population as well as the impact the canal had on African Americans trying to escape slavery was shared.
“Wedding of the Waters” sculpture on the Longshed at Canalside which was designed, sculpted, and cast in bronze in our Foundry and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts.
The boat was soon launched on its journey to New York City. Not only is the Seneca Chief a replica of the original boat that celebrated the opening of the Canal in 1825, but it is also on a journey to recreate the Wedding of the Waters event that took place in 1825 when waters from Lake Erie were merged with the waters from the Atlantic Ocean.
Macedon was also on display during the conference when Michael Cocquyt, MBA CPRP with LaBella Associates, shared the accomplishments that Macedon has achieved by highlighting and promoting this historic waterway that runs right through the middle of our town! In the session titled “Historic Downtown Revitalization Through Canal Connectivity” Mr. Cocquyt shared the ways that Macedon received grants (with his assistance and expertise) to support projects that benefit our whole community. He highlighted the grants we have received to create Trolley Square, build a new playground at Gravino Park, new sidewalks to access the parks at Gravino as well as Bullis Park. The repurposing of the O’Neil Rd Bridge to a pedestrian bridge and the creation of a small park with a bike repair station, benches. He shared the changes made to Bullis Park with accessible trails leading to multiple soccer fields and Pickleball Courts. All of these projects help people to enjoy the outdoors and access the Erie Canal Trail whether by foot or by bicycle. Cocquyt also shared how these projects have directly impacted additional investments being made by businesses in new housing and refurbishment of our downtown buildings.
The Seneca Chief passed by our doorstep on September 30th on its way to dock for the night in Newark, NY. The Seneca Chief will continue its journey with a crew living aboard. It is set to arrive in New York City on October 25th.
Find time to check out this wonderful asset in our own backyard. If you haven’t visited Lock 30, now is your chance. Be sure to notice the Enlarged Canal or spillway to the south of the current canal. If you walk towards the west of this peninsula you will walk on the Butterfly Trail. At the end you will notice only one of very few places where you can see the original canal, the Enlarged Canal and the current Erie Canal, formerly the Barge Canal. You will find a boat launch and a kayak/canoe launch available for free! Take a hike to see old Lock 60. Fall is a beautiful time of year to check out our local parks. Enjoy!
Continue learning about the Erie Canal at the Historic Macedon Academy on Sunday, October 19th - 1:30 Macedon and Erie Canal Songs created and sung by local residents with direction provided by Nancy and John Bryan! At 2pm music continues with Dave Ruch. Special Thank You to The Boehmler Foundation for sponsoring this event! Come join us, parking at the Methodist Church lot.
For more information check out Facebook: Macedon NY History
or contact me at historian@macedontown.net
Written by: Linda Braun, Macedon Town Historian