\nERIE CANAL BICENTENNIAL VOYAGE COMING TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY
\nERIE CANAL BICENTENNIAL VOYAGE COMING TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Buffalo Maritime Center&rsquo\;s full-scale replica of the *Seneca Chief* Expected to Stop in Canajoharie\, Amsterdam\, as part of its 500-mile journey from Buffalo to New York City.
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\n\nFONDA\, \;N.Y.\, &ndash\;To mark the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal&rsquo\;s opening\, the Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC) has built a full-scale replica of the Erie Canal Boat *Seneca Chief* &ndash\;the vessel that first journeyed from Buffalo to New York City in 1825. Handcrafted by nearly 200 volunteers and students inside the Longshed at Canalside in Buffalo\, the *Seneca Chief* stands as a powerful symbol of craftsmanship\, collaboration\, and New York State&rsquo\;s enduring maritime legacy.
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\n\nOn Wednesday\, September 24\, 2025\, the *Seneca Chief* began its 33-day Bicentennial Voyage commemorating Governor DeWitt Clinton&rsquo\;s historic trip. The boat will travel 500 miles along the Erie Canal and Hudson River\, visiting 28 communities and concluding with a grand arrival in New York City on October 26\, 2025.
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\n\nThe *Seneca Chief* will arrive in Riverfront Park at 143 Church St.\, Canajoharie\, on Sunday\, October 12 at 3 p.m. where the public is invited to participate in free\, family-friendly events\, ceremonies\, and educational programs.
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\n\nLocal Schedule of Events for Canajoharie:
\n\n3 p.m. Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Arrives
\n\n3:30 p.m. Welcome Ceremony
\n\n4 to 6 p.m. Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Visitor Experience Open to the Public
\n\nThe *Seneca Chief* will arrive in Riverlink Park at 2 Front St.\, Amsterdam\, on Monday\, October 13 at 3 p.m. where the public is invited to participate in free\, family-friendly events\, ceremonies\, and educational programs.
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\n\nLocal Schedule of Events for Amsterdam:
\n\n3 p.m. Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Arrives
\n\n3:30 p.m. Welcome Ceremony
\n\n4 to 7 p.m. Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Visitor Experience Open to the Public
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\n\nWhile docked\, the *Seneca Chief* will transform into a floating museum\, welcoming visitors aboard to explore recreated cabins\, historical artifacts\, and interactive exhibits. Visitors will learn about the canal&rsquo\;s cultural\, economic\, and environmental significance &ndash\;including the contributions of Indigenous communities.
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\n\n&ldquo\;This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see history come to life\,&rdquo\; said Montgomery County Executive Pete Vroman. &ldquo\;The Erie Canal helped shape our communities\, and the *Seneca Chief* voyage is a reminder of just how important that legacy remains today. I hope families\, students\, and visitors come out to experience it\, learn from it\, and celebrate what makes Montgomery County and our canal towns so special.&rdquo\;
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\n\n&ldquo\;This voyage is about more than retracing history &ndash\;it&rsquo\;s about reexamining it\,&rdquo\; said Brian Trzeciak\, Executive Director\, Buffalo Maritime Center. &ldquo\;As we honor the 200th anniversary of the canal\, we&rsquo\;re committed to telling a holistic story that commemorates its achievement\, while also acknowledging its impact on the Haudenosaunee and others.&rdquo\;
\n\nAt each stop\, ceremonies will include planting an Eastern White Pine tree &ndash\;the Great Tree of Peace in Haudenosaunee culture &ndash\;and adding local canal water to a barrel aboard the *Seneca Chief&rdquo\;. This water will later be used to nourish the final tree planted in New York City\, symbolically uniting the state.
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\n\nAbout the Bicentennial Voyage
\n\nThe Bicentennial Voyage Visitor Experience is made possible through the generous support of M&\;T Bank\, the Title Program Partner. M&\;T is helping this historic commemoration reach communities across New York State\, with financial contributions and volunteer support.
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\n\n&ldquo\;We&rsquo\;re proud to support the Buffalo Maritime Center and the Bicentennial Voyage in honoring the Erie Canal&rsquo\;s lasting influence\,&rdquo\; said Tracy Woodrow\, Chief Administrative Officer &\; WNY Regional President\, M&\;T Bank.
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\n\nFor More Information
\n\nFor statewide itinerary\, resources\, and downloadable
\n\nguidebook: \;//buffalomaritimecenter.org/bicentennial-voyage
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\n\nABOUT BUFFALO MARITIME CENTER
\n\nThe Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC) is a nonprofit workshop where volunteers\, students\, and master craftspeople build\, restore\, and maintain wooden boats\, fostering appreciation for the region&rsquo\;s waterways. Founded in 2010\, BMC revives the maritime culture that earned Buffalo its identity as the &ldquo\;Queen City of the Great Lakes.&rdquo\; Learn more at \;BuffaloMaritimeCenter.org \;or follow @BuffaloMaritimeCenter on social media.
\n LOCATION:Riverlink Park Amsterdam NY UID:e.97.46367 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260503T020333Z URL:https://business.fultonmontgomeryny.org/events/details/erie-canal-boat-seneca-chief-bicentennial-voyage-stopping-at-riverlink-park-amsterdam-46367 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR