Sometimes, in travel and in life, there’s a meaningful moment when you think: This is history.

Not in a class you’re taking. Not in a book you’re reading. But in a moment you’re experiencing.

Paul and I had that very thought when seeing the hand-crafted replica canal boat Seneca Chief on her Erie Canal Bicentennial Voyage across New York State.

Right here, right now, this is history.

This moment represented the culmination of years-long research, planning, and collaboration between the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, New York Canal Corporation, the non-profit Buffalo Maritime Center, other agencies and partners aplenty.

Not to mention, hundreds of volunteers and tens of thousands of visitors.

The replica Seneca Chief, trusty little tug C.L. Churchill, and push boat Buffalo Sal – named for the mules which once pulled the engineless canal vessels – recreated the Inaugural Voyage of Governor DeWitt Clinton.

The original Seneca Chief sailed for the first time in history from Buffalo on October 26, 1825, and arrived triumphantly in New York City on November 4, 1825.

Thanks to the Erie Canal, boats could traverse the entire width of New York State across mountains and valleys, lakes and rivers, and even through solid rock.

Such a feat was literally impossible before the Erie Canal. Now, it’s easy to travel this legendary route by boat, kayak, bike, hike, or road trip.

The replica Seneca Chief sailed for the second time in history from Buffalo on September 24, 2025, and arrived triumphantly in New York City on October 26, 2025.

But the Bicentennial Voyage was a little different than the Inaugural Voyage.

In each port, the Seneca Chief hosted hands-on arts, crafts, educational, and cultural programs. They gathered water and also planted an Eastern White Pine Tree, the “Great Tree of Peace” of the indigenous Haudenosaunee people.

The Buffalo Maritime Center then used “the gathered water to nourish the final tree, uniting the waters of New York State in a powerful gesture of connection and renewal.”

Reader, here’s to experiencing meaningful moments of history, in travel and in life.

Until next time,

Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨

Marilee + Paul Kostadimas
Spotlight Sojourns | Slow Travel
​with the Hidden Gemologists®

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PS: If you’d like to explore and experience the legendary Erie Canal, click HERE for our Erie Canal road trip guide.

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