WINTER SYMPOSIUM and ANNUAL MEETING

 8:00 A.M. - 8:30 A.M.
Registration. Coffee, Continental Breakfast.

8:30 A.M. - 8:35 A.M.
Welcome Monroe Community College as Co-Sponsor.

8:35 A.M. - 9:20 A.M.
The Erie Canal: Not Just a ‘School of Engineering’ but a Launchpad for American Science.
Presenter: Dr. David Spanagel, Associate Professor of History, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

9:20 A.M. – 10:05 A.M.
Stories of the Marginalized Workers on the Delaware and Hudson Canal.
Presenter: Bill Merchant, Deputy Director for Collections, Historian, and Curator, D & H Canal Historical Society.

10:05 A.M. – 10:25 A.M.
Coffee Break.

10:25 A.M. – 10:55 A.M.
World Canals Conference 2025: Engaging the World’s Canal Community in Buffalo.
Presenter: Patrick Stenshorn, Education Program Manager, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

10:55 A.M. – 11:25 A.M.
Keynote Address: An Update from the Canal Corporation during the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial Year.
Presenters: Brian Stratton, Director, NYS Canal Corporation, and Shane Mahar, Director of Public Engagement – Canals.

11:25 A.M. – 12:10 P.M.
Lunch. Premium Takeaway Sandwiches, Chips, Beverage, and Dessert.

12:10 P.M. – 12:40 P.M.
Songs of the Erie Canal.
Performed by John Dady and Kit Fallon.

12:40 P.M. – 1:20 P.M.
Plans for the Replica Seneca Chief’s 2025 Bicentennial Voyage from Buffalo to New York City, September 24 to October 26.
Presenters: Dr. John Montague, President Emeritus, Buffalo Maritime Center, and Brian Trzeciak, Buffalo Maritime Center’s Executive Director.

1:20 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Preparing for Disasters: Managing Moveable Dams in the East and Water Controls in the West.
Presenters: Ambrose Barbuto, Director of Waterways Maintenance; Joe Moloughney, Eastern Region Canal Engineer; Brendan Simon, Western Region Canal Engineer, Canal Corporation.

2:00 P.M. – 2:20 P.M.
Coffee Break.

2:20 P.M. – 2:40 P.M.
The Lingqu Canal and Plans for the 2026 World Canals Conference in China.
Presenter: Sharon Leighton, President, Inland Waterways International.

2:40 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Progress and Exciting Plans for the Lois McClure.
Presenter: Craig Williams, President, Canal Society of New York State.

3:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
CSNYS Annual Business Meeting and Announcements:

• Annual Meeting – BOD Election. (Dave Kinyon)
• Update from President Craig Williams.
• World Canal Conference, Buffalo, 2025.
• Spring Field Trip: “The Mid Mohawk.”
• Spirit of the Canal Award.
• Update on Samuel Center and Erie Canal Heritage Park. (Dan Wiles, Craig Williams)

3:30 P.M.
Adjournment.