OVERVIEW

Crossing New York State from the Hudson River at Albany to Buffalo, the Erie Canal revolutionized transportation and trade almost as soon as it opened. The time it took to travel across the state declined from two or more weeks to a mere five days; towns, villages, and cities developed along its course, and the Empire State’s economy grew concomitantly. In addition to the Canal’s impact on the economy, it aided the spread of ideas—abolitionism, utopianism, religion, and women’s rights—across the state and beyond. Despite these benefits, issues such as the dislocation of indigenous populations, the spread of disease, and the Canal’s economic losers have received little attention.

On November 4, 2017, Utica College’s Center for Historical Research will host its sixth annual @Symposium—the Erie Canal@200—to commemorate and investigate the building of this marvel of engineering and symbol of progress and civilization. We intend to examine the history of the Erie Canal from diverse perspectives—cultural, economic, technological, political, environmental, and social. Our goal is to create a sustained dialog that will facilitate a greater understanding of the importance of the Canal and the world through which it flowed.

VIEW PROGRAM SCHEDULE →