Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center

Public Programs

CanalWays 2008 Program
Site Overviews
May 30, June 2, 3, 4, and 5

NEW for 2008

Time Requirements: In order for participants to get the fullest experience that the program has to offer schools must commit at least four hours and fifteen minutes for their visit to CanalWays.

Waterford Historical Museum

The CanalWays Program was originally organized by Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center in order to unify the historical sites in the Waterford area. By utilizing the resources of multiple institutions the fourth grade classes gain a well rounded program. Through CanalWays students can learn in varied environments about different aspects of canal history.

The Waterford Historical Museum, located on Museum Lane in Waterford, features a permanent exhibition about the history of Waterford, temporary exhibitions related to local history, a Victorian period room, and the George and Annabel O’Conner Library for local history. Brad Utter, Director of the Museum, will manage the Museum site visit. At this site children will watch “Down the Old Potomac,” a video done by Thomas Edison’s company in 1917. This video shows actual footage of travel on an old canal and will be narrated by the site manager. Then students will view a model lock and see water move through the lock. This will help them better understand the mechanics of a lock. Next the children and their chaperones will perform an activity using primary or secondary sources about canal history. Then they will present to the class their findings, and compare the similarities and differences (if time allows). Students will have time to browse the Museum Gift Shop prior to departing this site.

Tugboat Urger

Built in 1901 in Ferrysburg, Michigan, this venerable tug is one of the oldest working vessels in the country still afloat. Originally built for use as a commercial shipping vessel, the “Urger” was christened the “Henry J. Dornbos,” after a prominent Michigan merchant.

In the early 1920s, the tug was sold, renamed the “Urger,” and entered the New York State Canal fleet. Stationed in Waterford, the “Urger” served more than 60 years hauling machinery, dredges and scows on the Erie and Champlain Canals until she was retired from service in the 1980s.

In 1991, the “Urger” was called back into service with a new mission. She now serves as the focal point of a program to educate school children and adults about the importance of New York's historic Canal System and the role that inland waterways have played historically, and continue to play, in the lives of people who live along them. At this site students will participate in shoreside “hands-on” educational sessions and go on a tour of the “Urger.” They learn about the history of the Canals and the role construction of the Erie Canal played in making New York the “Empire State.”

Tow Path

This site, located on the tow-path of the old Champlain canal, will help children attain an understanding of everyday life on the old canal. Paul Schneider and Russ Vandervoort are in charge of the activities. Russ will be set up close to Burton Avenue where he explains how his forefathers played a unique role in canal history. He has pictures which he narrates with many interesting facts and stories of past canal “families.” This discussion explains how families lived on their canal boats, with children working long days to ensure that they succeeded in their deliveries. Paul Schneider moves the children down the tow-path, discussing everyday things canal workers had to deal with on the waterway.

Waterford Visitor Center

The visitor center has many wonderful views, rich in canal history. Dick Hurst, the site manager, brings the children to the “side-cut” spillway as well as to Lock Two of the modern New York State Barge Canal. Here the children will board the Grand Erie to go through lock two. This area provides a great comparison of how the canals have changed throughout the years. Children learn about the past workings of the “side-cut” locks and what its purpose is today. While on the Grand Erie the children will feel what it is like when the lock drains or fills and they will hear how the whole lock system works.

Peebles Island

Peebles Island is situated at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and is the home of New York State Parks and the Bureau of Historic Preservation. Nola Dalgallo of New York State Parks is the CanalWays partner in charge of activities at this site. At Peebles Island the children will take part in an activity that simulates the way boats move through locks. Using a tugboat the children will participate in a relay-race where they will move the tug over and under them

selves to gain a better sense of how the lock system works. Using the activity as a visual aid the classes will also learn background on the canal. Next the classes will do a craft making their own paper boats by folding paper. Then, if time permits, the children will learn an Erie Canal song “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” and sing together .

Sponsored by the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center

In collaboration with:

Peebles Island State Park

Waterford Visitor Center

NYS Canal Corp's Tugboat Urger Program

Click here for a Map of Bus Drop Off and Pick Up Points

Click here for a Map of Activities

For more information, please Contact the Waterford Museum

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