The Seneca Chief was the canal packet boat that famously carried Governor DeWitt Clinton and dignitaries on the first voyage through the completed Erie Canal in 1825, an event known as the “Wedding of the Waters”. Upon arrival at New York City water from Lake Erie was poured into the Hudson River resulting in a ‘wedding of the waters’ and pronouncing the Erie Canal open for business. Today, the Buffalo Maritime Center has built a full-scale, historically accurate replica of this original Erie Canal boat to commemorate the 2025 Bicentennial of the Erie Canal’s opening. Join with others in celebrating this remarkable achievement, both that of the past and contemporarily, by joining in the various community events planned for the Seneca Chief voyage.

UREC will be tabling at Jennings Landing on Sunday, October 19 between 10am-4pm. We are excited to particapte with other community organizations in providing educational and interactive experiences at the waterfront. Come learn about Black involvement in bringing the Erie Canal to life, try your hand at metal forging and pouring pewter, learn about the canal’s impact on the Indigenous Peoples across who land the canal was located, and more. See you on October 19 at Jennings Landing, Albany!

Full details, including ways to provide financial support for this endeavor, can be accessed by clicking HERE