06/19/2026
Long before today’s recreational cruises, the Erie Canal was a lifeline of movement, connection, and opportunity across New York State.
During the years leading up to emancipation, canal towns like Rochester became important centers for abolitionist activity and the fight for freedom. The canal corridor helped connect communities, spread ideas through travel and commerce, and brought influential voices like Frederick Douglass to Rochester, where he published *The North Star* and advocated for justice and equality.
This Juneteenth, we reflect on the stories carried along these waterways—not just of trade and transportation, but of courage, resistance, and the pursuit of freedom.
As we continue to share the history of the Erie Canal, we honor those whose voices and actions helped move our nation forward.
