2026 Spring Study Tour

 The Canal Society of New York State invites you to join us for our 2026 Spring Study Tour, exploring the remarkable history of the Erie Canal in Wayne County.

Friday, April 3 – Saturday, April 4, 2026

Wayne County has one of the richest concentrations of Erie Canal history anywhere along the waterway. This tour will explore canal sites, historic infrastructure, and communities shaped by the canal’s development across multiple generations of canal construction.

Participants will visit sites connected to three generations of the Erie Canal, including the original Clinton’s Ditch, the Enlarged Erie Canal, and the modern Barge Canal system. 

A special highlight of this tour is the participation of Bob Stopper, the legendary Wayne County Canal Greeter, who will share insights about the region’s canal heritage.

Wayne County’s canal corridor includes nine Enlarged Erie Canal locks (Locks 53–61) over approximately twenty-one miles—representing a total lift greater than the famous Lockport Flight. The tour will attempt to visit all of these historic locations except the now-removed Lock 57.

Additional highlights include:

• Canal sites in Newark, Palmyra, Macedon, and Clyde
• The Barge Canal powerhouse at Lock 28B
• The Lyons Canal Corporation Shops and Drydock
• Historic canal infrastructure spanning three canal eras
• The Sodus Bay Canal
• A presentation on Newark’s waterfront revitalization plans

Detailed maps and the full itinerary will be provided upon registration.

Friday – April 3, 2026

10:00 AM — Walking Tour (Newark)

Explore historic canal sites located near the Microtel Inn.

Morning Tour Stops

• Barge Canal powerhouse at Lock 28B
• Enlarged Erie Lock 59
• Clinton’s Ditch lock at Lockpit (Meadville)
• Barge Lock 25 at May’s Point

Lunch on your own.

2:00 PM — Lyons Drydock Tour

Behind-the-scenes tour of the Canal Corporation Lyons Section Shops and Drydock.

Evening Program & Dinner

Dinner will be held Friday evening (rather than Saturday due to Easter weekend) at the Newark American Legion.

Special guest Mayor Jonathan Taylor of Newark will present the village’s waterfront revitalization plans.

Saturday – April 4, 2026 

8:30 AM — Bus Tour Departure
The tour bus departs the Microtel Inn in Newark.

Stops include canal sites in:

• Palmyra
• Macedon
• Clyde
• Sodus Bay Canal
   

Lunch will be served at Stone 8 Taphouse in Clyde.

Return
Return to the Microtel Inn by approximately 4:30 PM.

Registration deadline: March 27, 2026

Register online: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/newyorkcanals/items/709865/?full-items=yes&flow=no 

You may also register by mail by submitting the registration form and payment to:

Canal Society of New York State
c/o Craig Williams
31 Oakleaf Drive
Stuyvesant, NY 12173

Checks should be made payable to “Canal Society of New York State.” 

Because the bus tour is limited to 54 participants, early registration is strongly encouraged. 

• General registration: $20
• Program guidebook: $18 (add $5 if mailing requested)
• Friday dinner and program: $25
• Saturday bus tour (including lunch): $66.50
• Non–Canal Society members: add $10 per person

A block of rooms has been reserved at:

Microtel Inn & Suites – Newark, NY
434 East Union Street
Newark, NY 14513
315-359-9181

Booking Code: 04036CAN

Hotel Booking Link:

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/microtel/newark-new-york/microtel-inn-and-suites-newark-ny/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=04/03/2026&checkOutDate=04/05/2026&groupCode=040326CAN

Reservations should be made as soon as possible as rooms are limited.

 For questions or additional information, please contact:

Craig Williams
518-755-4516
1735james@fairpoint.net