On October 24, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul marked the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening with an event in New York City. The event celebrated the arrival of the Seneca Chief, a replica canal boat. The boat retraced the route taken by Governor DeWitt Clinton from Buffalo to New York City in 1825. The Seneca Chief started its journey on September 24 in Buffalo. It made 28 stops along the Erie Canal and Hudson River before ending at Pier 26 in Hudson River Park on October 26, 2025.
The Erie Canal is now part of the 524-mile New York State Canal system. It is managed by the New York Power Authority and the Canal Corporation. The canal was once a major commercial route connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Today, it is used for recreation and cultural activities. Governor Hochul, who is from Buffalo, spoke about the canal’s ongoing role in New York’s economy and society. She noted its contributions to economic development, recreation, arts, culture, and sustainability.
During the event, DeWitt Silber, a 15-year-old descendant of DeWitt Clinton, introduced Governor Hochul. This highlighted the canal’s history over many generations. The Erie Canal has supported commerce, migration, and social movements, including the Underground Railroad and women’s suffrage. It has influenced communities in New York State and across the country…