New York State Canal System designated a national historic landmark

SYRACUSE — The National Park Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has recently designated the New York State Canal System as a national historic landmark.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (Erie Canalway) and Congressman John Katko (R–Camillus) on Jan. 18 hosted a celebration and announcement event at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the former Hotel Syracuse. 

The designation includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Described as “direct successors” of the canals built during the 1820s, these waterways were enlarged to their current dimensions between 1905 and 1918, according to an Erie Canalway news release issued at the event. 

The canals remain in service today for commercial and pleasure vessels moving between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

“National historic landmark status shines a spotlight on the canal corridor as a destination and helps it better compete with other cultural-heritage destinations,” Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said. “The designation is especially attractive to cultural-heritage travelers who are looking for authentic experiences. Research shows that these travelers tend to spend more and stay longer than other types of travelers.”

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corp., “spearheaded” the nomination, according to the release. 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with members of Congress whose districts include the canal, state agencies, and canal communities offered their “full support” for the nomination.

New York State will observe the bicentennial of the construction of the Erie Canal in 2017.