As the Erie Canal approaches its 200th anniversary in 2025, this collection of images documents the people who keep its legacy alive. From lock operators and boaters to historians and local communities, these individuals play a vital role in shaping the canal’s past, present, and future. Whether managing the steady flow of vessels, preserving history, or finding moments of joy along its banks, their stories reflect a deep connection to this historic waterway. Through their dedication, the Erie Canal remains not just a relic of the past but a thriving, living part of everyday life. This book serves as a tribute to their work, their passion, and the enduring spirit of the "canaler" community.
Meet some of the Canalers!
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Veronica Morgan
Lock Operator
"This one man I met this summer in Brockport, New York. He was buying some phones for his children. They're about 11 and 12 years old, and they didn't look like somebody from Brockport. So I said, Are you on the canal? He said, Yes. He was from northern Canada. He sold his house, quit his job, bought a sailboat and now they're on this huge adventure."
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Robert Stopper
Erie Canal Ambassador & Boat Greeter
"Without this canal, this community would not be... There's only about 10 of us that are telling the history of this place, and we're working hard, but I don't know how long it's going to continue.”
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Allyn Perry
“Canal Queen” of Lyons
"I probably should not tell people, oh, come see my mini museum. I shouldn't say it that way, because it's going to be at least one person that's going to bitch and make a problem because it's just my little collection."
