Synopses & Reviews
The Erie Canal was completed in 1825 and became the backbone of an economic and cultural explosion that defined the image of New York. The canal's development spurred successful industry and a booming economy, sparking massive urban growth in an area that was previously virtually unexplored wilderness. People poured west into this new space, drawn by the ability to ship goods along the canal to the Hudson River, New York City, and the world beyond. Erie Canal is a compilation of 200 vintage images from the Erie Canal Museum's documentary collection of New York's canal system. Vintage postcards depict life and industry along the canal, including not only the Erie itself but also the lateral and feeder canals that completed the state-wide system.
Review
Title: Postcards from 'Erie Canal'
Author - Staff Writer
Publisher: Baldwinsville Messenger
Date: 02/23/2009
Arcadia Publishing's newest pictorial history book, "Erie Canal" depicts both life and industry along the canal including Lock 24 and the Baldwin Canal. The following excerpt accompanies the above photograph in the recently released book: "The Baldwin Canal was a short, navigable feeder canal that connected the town of Baldwinsville with the Erie Canal. Note the construction of the building in the foreground. The structure is recessed at the bottom to allow canal boats to dock directly under the building and load or unload cargo. The carts are all full of tobacco." The photo and excerpt were reprinted with permission from "Erie Canal," which was written and compiled by Andrew P. Kitzmann and the Erie Canal Museum. The author will hold a book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. March 7 at Barnes and Noble on Route 31 in Liverpool. The book is also available from the publisher online at arcadiapublishing.com or by calling 888-313-2665.
About the Author
The Erie Canal Museum was chartered in 1962 with the intent of preserving and interpreting New York's canal systems. Andrew P. Kitzmann is the curator of the museum's collection, which contains thousands of postcards as well as fine art and archival materials. Housed in the 1850 Syracuse Weighlock Building, the Erie Canal Museum is nationally accredited by the American Association of Museums.