WINTER SYMPOSIUM and ANNUAL MEETING

NEW THIS YEAR - An opportunity to gather for a social event and dinner following the Symposium on 3/7/26.

• 4:30 at the Double Tree Inn, 1111 Jefferson Rd. in Rochester, just 5 minutes from the MCC Campus.
• Fee for this optional event is $55.00 includes - buffet dinner, dessert, coffee/water.
• Full bar available – cash/credit cards accepted.

This will be an opportunity to gather with old friends, meet new friends and engage in your favorite informal canal discussions.

The NYS Canal Corporation has invited us to tour the NYSCC Section 7 Pittsford Maintenance shops at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 6. Limit 50 people – register early! Weather appropriate clothing with shoes/boots with sturdy soles/NO open toe shoes required for safety.

Symposium speakers

• The new owner of the Day Peckinpaugh, owner of Custom Marine, a large construction and salvage firm in Dobbs Ferry, NY, will talk about plans for that historic boat.
• Plans for the inner harbor at Utica will be discussed by its city leaders.
• The keynote presentation from the NYS Canal Corporation will feature updates on today’s operating canal. We will learn more about the floating plant including tugs, dredges and other machinery used to keep our waterway in a safe and operational condition from maintenance leaders of the Canal Corporation.
• Design and construction of the Tugboat Thomas X. Grasso as well as many familiar tour boats will be covered by the Project Manager of the firm, Blount Boats, Inc. that built them.

History topics will include:

• A presentation on African American canallers
• An expert researcher will reveal previously unknown original canal survey maps made by Benjamin Wright in 1812
• News about future plans for Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief that successfully recreated DeWitt Clintons opening voyage of 1825.
• A highlight of the day will be a discussion of how the Erie Canal influenced the building of cobblestone houses in upstate New York from the Director of the Cobblestone Museum.
• Our special musical interlude following lunch - the premiere of a NEW music video created for a NEW song, “200 Years” composed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal along with details regarding the creation of the song and video.