Grand Opening Event: Chief Seneca of the Erie Canal Boat

On Saturday, May 25, the community is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting event, recognizing the boat’s completion on the Erie Canal. Chief Seneca – the first boat to open the Erie Canal almost 200 years ago. The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Canalside – 44 Prime Street Buffalo, NY, with an afterparty to follow, at Big Ditch Brewing Company (55 E Huron Street, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.).

This project marks just the beginning of Buffalo's efforts to expand the Erie Canal narrative and foster connections across our New York State community as we approach the Bicentennial celebration in 2025.

“This remarkable boat building enterprise took place inside the Longshed from 2020 to 2024 and involved hundreds of dedicated volunteers and students. From building the ship with their own hands to exploring its complex history, each participant played an integral role in the creation of the Erie Canal Boat. Chief Seneca live.” – Buffalo Maritime Center

This free, family-friendly public event, sponsored by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the NYS Canal Corporation, will include:

• The official opening of the Erie Canal Boat Chief Seneca
• Music from the Greater Buffalo Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band
• Representatives of local and state authorities + BMC (subject to change)
• Joe Stahlman, indigenous researcher
• John Montague, President Emeritus and Founder, Buffalo Maritime Center
• David Rogers, former CEO of Life Storage and treasurer of BMC
• Ras Jomo Akono, Council Representative, Carpenters Local 276, Juneteenth Festival Vice President and WUFO Radio Host and Producer
• Western New York Director Bonnie Kane Lockwood representing Governor Kathy Hochul
• Patrick Stenshorn, Education Program Manager, Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor
• Mark Wendel, president of Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
• Brian Stratton, Director of the NYS Canal Corporation
• Greg Dudley, Chief Boat Builder, Buffalo Maritime Center
• Roger Allen, Master Boat Builder, Buffalo Maritime Center

Register for these two events by clicking here. Your After Party reservation will allow 1 guest access to the Big Ditch private event space (upstairs) – there will be complimentary light fare and cash bar.

You can check out the grand opening at Canalside on the Facebook event page.

You can check out the After Party, sponsored by Big Ditch, on the Facebook event page.

This project was made possible by: NYS Canal Corporation, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the David & Joan Rogers Family Foundation.