Throughout the year and the years, the CSNY has been one of organizations involved in helping folks discover the history of New York’s canals. Some of these events happen at the Erie Canal Heritage Park, like here at the mule barn, photo thanks to Darrin Rooker.

Here in the Visitor Center just off the Thruway and elsewhere,

sharing the history with the next generations goes on.

Here, in photos thanks to Craig Lacy, “Surly Sal” enthralls school kids from several decades back,

aboard tugboat Urger.

From glass negatives and cleaned up by Bill Hecht, some local school groups from a century or more ago

makes me wonder what was said about the canal and its context back then.

Uncredited photos by Will Van Dorp.