Join us for this illustrated presentation marking the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal, one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in American history. We’ll explore how the canal reshaped New York and the nation — linking the Atlantic to the Great Lakes, spurring westward expansion, and cementing New York City’s role as America’s commercial capital.

We’ll look closely at the impact of the canal on the Greenwich Village waterfront as it became the city’s primary waterfront in the decades after the canal’s completion. From bustling markets to thriving shipyards, the Village’s shoreline was forever changed by the flow of commerce the canal unleashed.

This presentation will trace the Erie Canal’s place in New York history — a marvel of engineering that not only accelerated economic growth but also combined with a series of maritime innovations born in the city that unleashed its full commercial power to become the greatest city in the world.

William Roka is the Director of Programs at Village Preservation. He is also an independent historian and writer. His research has focused on the history of travel and ocean liners in the early 20th century, and he has presented at conferences in the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, and across the United States.