The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and its non-profit partner, the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund work together with federal, state, and local agencies and organizations to plan for, encourage, and assist in historic preservation, conservation, recreation, interpretation, tourism and community development throughout the National Heritage Corridor.
Founding Legislation
Congressman James Walsh introduced legislation to establish the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in 2000. Founding of the National Heritage Corridor marked the 175th Anniversary of New York State's creation and stewardship of the Erie Canalway for commerce, transportation and recreational purposes, establishing the network which made New York the Empire State and the Nation's premier commercial and financial center. Congressman Walsh's leadership and support, along with the leadership of Founding Chair Eric Mower, were critical to the early development of the National Heritage Corridor.
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission
Created by Congress in 2000, the federally-appointed Erie Canalway Commission is tasked with managing activities of the National Heritage Corridor. It receives financial support and technical assistance through the National Park Service, subject to annual Congressional appropriations.
Officers
| Chair | Pieter Smeenk | Fairport |
| Vice Chair | John Callaghan | Waterford |
| Secretary | Carl Blowers | Montour Falls (NY-23) |
| Treasurer | Susan Herlands Holland | Ithaca (Sen. Gillibrand) |
| Secretary of the Interior Designee (ex officio) | pending | National Park Service |
| Immediate Past Chair | Kal Wysokowski | Canandaigua |
Commissioners
| Paul Beyer | NYS Department of State |
| Fred Bonn | NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Clinton Brown | NY-26 (Buffalo) |
| Laura DiBetta | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
| James Farr | NY-25 (Rochester) |
| Dr. Cornelius Murphy, Jr. | NY-24 |
| Harry Sicherman | Lockport |
| Mary Elizabeth Stewart | NY-20 (Albany) |
| pending | NYS Canal Corporation |
| Mark Wendel | Empire State Development |
| Peter Wiles Jr. | At-Large |
| Damali Wynter | NYS Agriculture and Markets |
| pending | NYS Department of Transportation |
Past Commission Chairs
| Eric Mower, 2001-2008, Founding Chair and Emeritus Member |
| Joseph Callahan, 2008-2010 |
| Judy Schmidt Dean, 2010-2014 |
| Russell Andrews, 2014-2016 |
| Pieter Smeenk, 2016-2019 |
| Barbara Blanchard, 2019-2022, Emeritus Member |
| Kal Wysokowski, 2022-2025 |
Erie Canalway Heritage Fund Board
The Erie Canalway Heritage Fund is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that assists in carrying out the work of the Commission. The Heritage Fund secures additional private and public resources and helps implement the Corridor's award-winning Preservation and Management Plan.
Officers
| Chair | Brad Packard | Getzville |
| Vice Chair | Kate Morse | Greenwich |
| Secretary | Nicole Mahoney | Canandaigua |
| Treasurer | Erin Tobin | Albany |
Board of Directors
| Carl Blowers | Montour Falls |
| John Callaghan | Waterford |
| Bonney Hartley | Williamstown, MA |
| Marilyn Higgins | Canastota |
| Susan Herlands Holland | Ithaca |
| Mike Keegan | Guilderland |
| Jack Leslie | Woodstock |
| Anne McCaffrey | Lockport |
| Paul Neureuter | Buffalo |
| Pieter Smeenk | Fairport |
Past Heritage Fund Board Chairs
| Tom Blanchard 2010-2018, Emeritus Member |
| Paul Neureuter 2018-2021 |
| Judy McKinney Cherry 2021-2024 |