NEWS FROM CORN HILL NAVIGATION FOUNDATION

At a media conference on April 16, Corn Hill Waterfront & Navigation Foundation (CHN) kicked off the year-long Erie Canal Bicentennial by announcing a season of special events marking the beginning of a historic year.

The event featured remarks from key community leaders, including Rochester Mayor, Malik Evans; Deputy Monroe County Executive, Jeff McCann; Pittsford Village Mayor, Alysa Subtelny Plummer; and Brian Stratton, Director, New York State Canal Corporation. Each shared reflections on the canal’s historic impact and the vital role Corn Hill Navigation plays in connecting communities through public access, education, and recreation.

For 200 years, the Erie Canal has connected communities, driven economic growth, and shaped the cultural identity of New York State. From its vital role in transforming Rochester into America’s first “Boomtown” to its continued use for tourism, education, and recreation, the canal remains a treasured part of the region’s heritage.

Now, it’s time to celebrate this legacy and look ahead to the future of our area’s beloved waterways. CHN will host a variety of special cruises and programs throughout 2025 to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime milestone. Whether a history enthusiast, a local resident, or a first-time visitor, Corn Hill Navigation invites the community to join in celebrating 200 years of innovation, culture, and adventure on the Erie Canal!

Bicentennial Season Cruises – CHN announced its most ambitious season of ticketed cruises with more than 800 offerings, including lock cruises, birdwatching, live music, sip and sail, and a new kids’ cruise series with different themes each month. The Bicentennial season kicks off with a Blessing of the Fleet on Saturday, May 10. CHN’s cruises start on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11 and run through the end of October. Step aboard Sam Patch and Riverie during the 2025 Bicentennial to experience history on the water. Tickets available at cornhillnav.org.

Unlocking the Past Speaker Series – CHN announced its new Unlocking the Past Speaker Series on both Sam Patch and Riverie, which includes history talks from local experts sharing their knowledge of the Canal from the past 200 years. The Unlocking the Past Speaker Series cruises are available on select Wednesday afternoons (4pm on Sam Patch and 5:30pm on Riverie). Topics, dates, and tickets are available at cornhillnav.org. A special 2025 Bicentennial speaker package is available for passengers looking to book four cruises throughout the season. https://cornhillnav.org/speaker-series-membership/

Birthday Cards at the Waterfront Center – Throughout the summer, CHN will be displaying Erie Canal Birthday cards collected from the community. Everyone is welcome to visit the Waterfront Center to view the creative, heartfelt, and inspiring cards celebrating the Canal’s 200th Birthday. Additionally, Corn Hill Navigation has created an oversized, public birthday card at the Waterfront Center, where the community can stop by to sign the card and leave a special message for the Erie Canal. CHN’s giant birthday card will be presented to the State of New York, in appreciation of 200 years of maintaining the Erie Canal, at the World Canals Conference in Buffalo this fall.

Sam Patch Improvements – After 34 successful seasons running Sam Patch, CHN is thrilled to announce that Sam Patch will kick off the Bicentennial season with a new diesel engine. The new engine will be more reliable, efficient, and easier to maintain, leading to more cruises and less downtown throughout the season. CHN would like to acknowledge The Davenport-Hatch Foundation for its generous funding of this project.

Greater Accessibility – Since its founding in 1991, CHN has been committed to breaking down barriers to access to our region’s waterways. Funding from a two-year grant from the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation has enabled CHN to partner with Rochester Accessible Adventures to focus on inclusivity within the organization. This funding has allowed CHN to expand training and resources to welcome everyone aboard our vessels, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. CHN is proud to announce a new accessibility page on our website with an accessibility point of contact who can help answer questions and make arrangements for trips on our waterways. For those struggling to afford tickets, CHN is thrilled to announce a new program to provide discounted tickets to groups from low-income senior centers during the Bicentennial. CHN greatly appreciates the funding that made this program possible from The Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation. https://cornhillnav.org/accessibility/

Community Collaboration – CHN is partnering with local history organizations, tourism groups, and businesses to create a memorable celebration that connects the community to this historic milestone. Upcoming programs include:

• A unique partnership with the Friends of the Mount Hope Cemetery to unearth the stories of those buried in the cemetery who worked on constructing and running the Erie Canal. The public is invited on walking tours of the cemetery focused on graves associated with the Erie Canal and trips on Riverie with cemetery experts who share the fascinating stories of Rochesterians and the Erie Canal. Unlocking the Past Speaker Series on Riverie
• In collaboration with the American Friends of Lafayette, Corn Hill Navigation will host a Bicentennial celebration of Major General Lafayette’s return tour to America. On June 7, 2025, 200 years to the day, Corn Hill Landing will commemorate this event with an event, including a trip aboard Riverie with Lafayette.
• In partnership with the Buffalo Maritime Center, CHN will bring the historic Erie Canalboat Seneca Chief to Rochester and Pittsford. As part of its Bicentennial Voyage, Seneca Chief will dock next to Riverie in afternoon on September 27, 2025. CHN is planning a full day of activities with details to follow. On September 28, Sam Patch and Riverie will escort Seneca Chief to Pittsford. Later that day, the flotilla will be joined by Colonial Belle and will travel on to Fairport.

The Albert R. Stone Collection – Corn Hill Navigation has partnered with the Rochester Museum & Science Center with an exhibit of 20 historic Erie Canal photos from the famed Albert R. Stone Negative Collection, highlighting Rochester’s canal legacy. The images are on display at the Corn Hill Navigation Waterfront Center through the end of the Bicentennial season.

Exciting Announcements – More details about the upcoming bicentennial activities will be shared soon. Keep an eye on our newsletter, website, and social media for updates!
For information on Erie Canal Bicentennial events throughout the season, check the website at http://www.cornhillnav.org or call 585-662-5748.