The Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief stops in Troy to celebrate the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial!
Friday, October 17th-Saturday, October 18th
Riverfront Park (255 Front Street Troy, NY 12180)
Troy Schedule
Friday, October 17th
11:30am Welcome Ceremony (open to all, no registration required)
Welcome Speakers
Gathering of the Waters Ceremony
12-6pm Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Visitor Experience (open to all, no registration required)
Onshore exhibits in Riverfront Park
Hands-on history activities
Go onboard the Seneca Chief
7-9pm Crew Dinner at Brown’s Brewing (sold out, advanced ticket purchase required)
Saturday, October 18th
10am-3pm Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief Visitor Experience (open to all, no registration required)
Onshore exhibits in Riverfront Park
Hands-on history activities
Go onboard the Seneca Chief
The Erie Canal’s Bicentennial & the Voyage of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief
On the morning of Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Buffalo Maritime Center’s replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will embark on its Bicentennial Voyage, commemorating Governor DeWitt Clinton’s historic 1825 journey from Buffalo to New York Harbor.
A Buffalo Maritime Center crew, comprised of staff and volunteers, will navigate the 33-day voyage, departing from Buffalo’s Commercial Slip - the western terminus of the Erie Canal - and traveling to Pier 26 in New York City.
Along the way, the boat will dock at 28 ports along the Erie Canal and Hudson River before reaching New York City for the official commemoration of the canal’s opening - 200 years after Governor Clinton’s inaugural trip.
This historic journey invites Buffalo and communities across New York State to honor the past while envisioning the future.
For a comprehensive look at the Bicentennial Voyage, click here to download the official BMC Bicentennial Voyage Guidebook.
A Perspective on the History of the Erie Canal
The Erie Canal transformed the young United States, reshaping commerce, transportation, and daily life in the 19th century. Its unprecedented speed of travel enabled the rapid movement of goods, people, and ideas, fueling economic growth and innovation.
While the canal was celebrated as a symbol of progress for New York, that progress was not universal. Its success contributed to the displacement of the Haudenosaunee and led to lasting changes in New York State’s ecosystems, underscoring the complex and far-reaching impact of this historic waterway.
The Planting of the White Pines & the Gathering of the Waters
As the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief journeys through New York State, we will plant White Pine trees as a symbolic tribute to the Haudenosaunee - a commitment to a sustainable future - and celebrate the communities along the canal.
At each port, we will invite communities to contribute water from their section of the Erie Canal or the Hudson River to a barrel carried aboard the boat. Upon reaching New York City, we will use the gathered water to nourish the final tree, uniting the waters of New York State in a powerful gesture of connection and renewal.
The Gathering of the Waters embodies our values, honors our shared history, and offers hope for the future.
To explore the craftsmanship and community effort behind the vessel’s construction, visit the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief page.
ERIE CANAL BOAT SENECA CHIEF VOYAGE TIMELINE:
SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 26, 2025
When the Seneca Chief reaches a port along the Erie Canal, the public can experience free, family-friendly activities that bring canal history to life. While docked, the vessel becomes a floating museum that allows you to step aboard to explore recreated cabins, view historical artifacts, and engage with interactive exhibits that illuminate the canal’s cultural, economic, and environmental significance - including the contributions of Indigenous communities. On shore, Buffalo Maritime Center will host special events, educational programs, and hands-on wooden boatbuilding activities for all ages.
For port stop locations, arrival, and departure times, click here to visit the BMC Public Calendar.