What we do
Advocacy and Preservation
By way of the membership, the Canal Society can be a vocal advocate for preservation. In the past we have helped to save endangered old vessels, buildings, and sites. Your membership, along with hundreds of others, can be a powerful voice against the loss of historic places and objects.
Tours and Events
Throughout the year, the Canal Society hosts various gatherings to help you discover the history of New York’s canals. Check out our events tab for more information!
Collections and Archives
For over 60 years, members of the Canal Society have been collecting and archiving materials and artifacts that help to tell the story of the canals of New York and other states, and even other countries. In addition to these materials, members have documented every canal and canal site they found with photographs, allowing us to go back into time to see how these sites have aged, changed, or disappeared over the years. These collections are available to researchers who wish to find original source materials.
Contact Us
Visit us in Port Byron
Visit the Erie Canal Heritage Park via our dedicated New York State Thruway exit near Eastbound milepost 309. While there is no direct westbound access from the Thruway, there is an entrance from Route 31 in Port Byron.
Our physical address is 1575 Rooker Drive, Port Byron, NY 13410.
The Samuel Center for Canal History, at 38 Rochester Street in Port Byron, holds the Canal Society collections and is available by appointment; check the Events page for scheduled events.
Canal Society of New York State
1575 Rooker Drive, Port Byron, New York 13140, United States
Questions? Ask us! Email: info@newyorkcanals.org Phone: (315) 776-4112 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 303, Port Byron, New York, 13140
Old Erie Canal Heritage Park
The Park is open May 1 through October 1st.
Visitors Center Phone (during open hours): (315) 776-4601
Make a donation
Your donation helps the Canal Society of New York State fulfill its mission to protect New York State’s canal heritage and its future through research, preservation, education and advocacy.
