SCHENECTADY, NY (September 15, 2025) — Discover Schenectady today announced a series of events and commemorations to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal.
The bicentennial celebration will include the unveiling of Rooted in Motion, a large-scale historical mural at the Schenectady Amtrak Station, the installation of a commemorative plaque along Erie Boulevard, and a stopover in October by the Seneca Chief, a replica of the first canal boat to travel the historic route.
“The Erie Canal was a transformative force for Schenectady and New York State, playing a pivotal role in shaping our history and economy,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “As we mark the 200th anniversary of its opening, we are proud to celebrate the Canal’s legacy and its enduring impact on our community. The new mural at the Amtrak Station, the commemorative plaque along Erie Boulevard, and the arrival of the Seneca Chief at Mohawk Harbor serve as powerful reminders of Schenectady’s key role in the development of the Empire State and the nation.”
“The Erie Canal is a symbol of New York’s innovation and determination,” said Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. “Two centuries after it first opened, the canal continues to connect our communities, support recreation and tourism, and remind us of the vital role it played in building both New York and the nation. As the former mayor of Schenectady, my hometown, this partnership also has personal significance. The Canal Corporation is pleased to join Schenectady County to celebrate this key milestone.”
The Erie Canal officially opened on October 26, 1825, spanning 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo and connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Nicknamed “Clinton’s Ditch” after Governor DeWitt Clinton, the canal reduced travel time across upstate New York from two weeks to just five days and cut shipping costs by nearly 90 percent. The waterway helped transform New York City into the nation’s leading port and played a pivotal role in making New York the “Empire State.”
For Schenectady, the Erie Canal was a lifeline for commerce, industry and population growth. The canal stretched more than 21 miles through Schenectady County, passing by the early Schenectady Locomotive Works and the beginnings of Thomas Edison’s General Electric plant before continuing west toward the Great Flats and Rotterdam Junction.
Mural: Rooted in Motion
The bicentennial’s artistic centerpiece is Rooted in Motion, a mural on the walls of the Schenectady Amtrak Station lot. Commissioned by Metroplex and designed by Glens Falls-based artist Hannah Williams, the mural tells the story of Schenectady’s natural and industrial history.
The composition blends imagery of the Erie Canal aqueduct and the Empire State Express locomotive with tributes to General Electric, Thomas Edison, and the workers who powered Schenectady’s rise. Archival images are interwoven with motifs of native plants along the Mohawk River, balancing the city’s technological heritage with its ecological roots. The project is curated by Electric City Barn with support and approval from Amtrak.
Historic Plaque on Erie Boulevard
A commemorative plaque will be installed by Metroplex along Erie Boulevard tracing the original route of the Erie Canal before it was filled in and converted into a roadway in the early 20th century. The canal through Schenectady closed in 1917, and construction of Erie Boulevard began shortly after, with the first section opening in 1924, and completed in 1926.
The plaque will highlight the extraordinary role the canal played in the city’s development, as well as its engineering legacy as one of America’s greatest infrastructure projects.
“The Erie Canal was an engine of growth for Schenectady County,” said Todd Garafano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady. “As we celebrate the canal’s 200th anniversary, we are proud to showcase the many ways that the canal helped to shape the history of Schenectady County.”
Stopover by the Seneca Chief
One of the most anticipated events of the statewide bicentennial celebration is the cross-state voyage of the Seneca Chief, a full-scale replica of the boat used by Governor DeWitt Clinton in 1825 to inaugurate the canal. Built by the Buffalo Maritime Center, the Seneca Chief will retrace the historic journey with 28 community stops before arriving in New York Harbor on October 25 to commemorate the canal’s official bicentennial date.
Schenectady residents and visitors will have the chance to see the Seneca Chief when it docks at the Mohawk Harbor on Tuesday, October 14.
More information about the Seneca Chief voyage can be found here.
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About Discover Schenectady: Discover Schenectady is a non-profit organization responsible for promoting travel, tourism, conference and convention assets and opportunities throughout Schenectady County. Discover Schenectady inspires visitors to experience and enjoy all that Schenectady County has to offer, from its vibrant communities with dining, entertainment and shopping to its gorgeous waterfront and outdoor activities. For more ways to Discover Schenectady County all year long, visit www.discoverschenectady.com