Erie Canal Bicentennial Exhibit Opening at Historic Grooms Tavern

As a kick-off to the Erie Canal Bicentennial, a new Erie Canal exhibit, “Low Bridge: The Erie Canal in Saratoga County” will open at the Historic Grooms Tavern on Friday, May 12, at 6 p.m., with a reception, and will be followed by a talk by Clifton Park Town Historian John Scherer at 7 p.m., as part of the Town of Clifton Park’s Open Space & History Weekend Celebration of the historic hamlet and nature preserve in Vischer Ferry.  Members of the Town of Clifton Park Historic Preservation Commission will be assisting as docents for this opening event. This event, from 6 to 8 p.m., is open to the public.

When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it was an engineering wonder (construction started in 1817!), and it was touted as the eight wonder of the world. About 13 miles of the Erie Canal went through the southern end of Saratoga County. John Scherer’s talk will include a visual presentation of the Erie Canal history in Saratoga County, an exploration of the canal’s remains, and the colorful local characters who worked on the canal.

Acquired in 1999 for preservation as a local historic site, the Historic Grooms Tavern is owned and operated by the Town of Clifton Park with support from the Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern.