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 | Kal Wysokowski | Canandaigua |
| Vice Chair | Harry Sicherman | Lockport |
| Secretary | Susan Herlands Holland | Ithaca (Sen. Gillibrand) |
| Treasurer | Carl Blowers | Montour Falls (NY-23) |
| Secretary of the Interior Designee (ex officio) | Gay Vietzke | National Park Service |
Commissioners
| Paul Beyer | NYS Department of State |
| Fred Bonn | NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation |
| Clinton Brown | NY-26 (Buffalo) |
| John Callaghan | At-Large (Waterford) |
| Laura DiBetta | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
| James Farr | NY-25 (Rochester) |
| Sean Kelleher | NY-21 |
| Dr. Cornelius Murphy, Jr. | NY-24 |
| Pieter Smeenk | At-Large (Fairport) |
| Mary Elizabeth Stewart | NY-20 (Albany) |
| Brian Stratton | 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 |
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 | Mark Hettler | Liverpool |
| Treasurer | Erin Tobin | Albany |
| Immediate Past Chair | Judy McKinney Cherry | Watkins Glen |
Board of Directors
| Carl Blowers | Montour Falls |
| Bonney Hartley | Williamstown, MA |
| Marilyn Higgins | Canastota |
| Susan Herlands Holland | Ithaca |
| Mike Keegan | Guilderland |
| Jack Leslie | Woodstock |
| Nicole Mahoney | Canandaigua |
| Paul Neureuter | Buffalo |
| Harry Sicherman | Lockport |
| Kal Wysokowski | Canandaigua |
Past Heritage Fund Board Chairs
| Tom Blanchard 2010-2018, Emeritus Member |
| Paul Neureuter 2018-2021 |
| Judy McKinney Cherry 2021-2024 |