Erie Canal Village

Erie Canal Village is an outdoor living history museum in Rome, built as a reconstructed 19th-century settlement. It stands on the site where, on July 4, 1817, the first shovelful of earth was turned for the construction of the original Erie Canal, which makes it a fitting place to learn how the canal began.

A mule-drawn packet boat travels a section of the enlarged canal, giving visitors a taste of early 19th-century water travel. On land, there are three museums and period buildings that include a tavern, blacksmith shop, railroad station, school, church and store.

What to Know

• Groundbreaking for the original Erie Canal took place at this site on July 4, 1817.
• A mule-drawn packet boat carries visitors along a stretch of the enlarged canal.
• Three museums share the grounds with a tavern, blacksmith shop, railroad station, school, church and store.
• Rome is also home to Fort Stanwix National Monument, a good pairing for a history day.
• Open dates and events can change, so confirm before making the trip.