Saturday

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Title: Rebuilding History: The Seneca Chief and the Erie Canal Bicentennial

Speaker: Brian Trzeciak, Executive Director
Organization: Buffalo Maritime Center

Bio:
Brian Trzeciak is the Executive Director of the Buffalo Maritime Center (BMC), a role he has held for the past seven years. He holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts in Humanities from the University at Buffalo. Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in design, education, and community organizing to the Buffalo Maritime Center. He is committed to preserving maritime heritage and the values of craftsmanship while expanding hands-on learning opportunities throughout the community.

Description of Presentation:
The Buffalo Maritime Center has built a traditional, full-sized replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, which originally opened the Erie Canal in 1825. The Erie Canal Boat Project has aimed to engage the community through hands-on experiences and historical exploration. In 2025, the Seneca Chief will embark on its Bicentennial Voyage from Buffalo to New York Harbor, commemorating Gov. DeWitt Clinton’s 1825 inaugural journey. This voyage offers Buffalo and communities across New York State a chance to explore the past and plan for the future. Join Brian Trzeciak as he discusses this ambitious project and shares the plan for the historical Bicentennial Voyage.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Title: The Erie Canal and Albany: The Past and the Future

Speaker: Len Tantillo, Historical and Marine Artist

Bio:
Len Tantillo is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and a licensed architect who transitioned to a career in fine art, focusing on historical and marine painting. Since 1986, his work has appeared internationally in exhibitions, publications, and film documentaries. Tantillo is the author of four books, a recipient of two honorary degrees, and a Fellow of the American Society of Marine Artists. His work is included in the collections of the Fenimore Art Museum, the Minnesota Museum of Marine Art, and many other institutions. In 2004, the Metropolitan Museum of Art commissioned him to create a painting depicting the Daniel Winne house as it may have appeared in 1755. He has produced over 300 paintings and drawings of New York State history and was elected a Fellow of the New York Academy of History in 2016.

Description of Presentation:
Len Tantillo will discuss his vision for Albany’s future, inspired by its rich historical connections to the Hudson River and the Erie Canal. He will share his long-term vision of reconnecting the city with its waterfront by potentially unearthing Lock One of the Erie Canal and extending it from the Warehouse District down Broadway. Tantillo's artwork, which includes a painting of the Warehouse District in the late 1800s, serves as a foundation for reimagining Albany’s future.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Title: Bridging the Past and Present: Transporting Buffalo’s Newest Bridge Through America’s Most Enduring Waterway

Speakers:

• Captain Brian Moore

• Captain Tom Feeney

• Organization: Carver Marine Towing

Description of Presentation:
This presentation will discuss the transportation of the Ralph Wilson Park Bridge, a significant component of the redevelopment of Buffalo’s waterfront, through the Erie Canal. The bridge, transported in sections from Italy, traversed New York Harbor and up the Hudson River before reaching the Capital Region. The crew from Carver Marine Towing navigated the complex journey along the canal, traversing 34 locks and managing various clearance challenges. The bridge will ultimately connect Buffalo’s Lower West Side to the transformed Ralph Wilson Park, which is scheduled to start opening in phases in 2026

Sunday

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Title: A Tugboat Roundup Retrospective: A Discussion on a Bad Idea That Turned Out Great 25 Years Later

Speakers:

• Rob Goldman, Chief Operating Officer of NYSMH

• John Callaghan, Founder of Tugboat Roundup

Description of Presentation:
Rob Goldman and John Callaghan will discuss the formation of the Tugboat Roundup, from its inception as a seemingly bad idea to its growth into a successful event 25 years later. They will share stories from the early days and highlight some of the colorful characters involved in the event’s history.