Seneca Chief Replica Captivates Little Falls in Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration

By Dave Warner

Little Falls, NY – The Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, a full-scale replica of the historic 1825 packet boat that symbolized the dawn of the Erie Canal era, arrived triumphantly in Little Falls on October 11, drawing a record crowd of more than 1,500 visitors to Benton’s Landing and surrounding sites for a day brimming with history, music, and community spirit.

The festival, marking the 200th anniversary of the canal’s opening, transformed the waterfront and nearby venues into a lively tribute to New York’s maritime heritage.

Built by the Buffalo Maritime Center through a collaborative effort involving hundreds of volunteers from October 2020 to June 2024 at Canalside in Buffalo, the Seneca Chief embodies the canal’s cultural and economic legacy. As part of its Bicentennial Voyage retracing Governor DeWitt Clinton’s inaugural journey from Buffalo to New York Harbor, the boat tied up at Benton’s Landing around 11:30 a.m., departing later that evening for the Little Falls Harbor. Nearly 600 attendees boarded for guided tours starting at 1 p.m., where crew members shared stories of the vessel’s handcrafted construction and the era’s intrepid travelers.

The day’s events unfolded across multiple locations, blending education and entertainment. At Benton’s Landing, dignitaries, including Mayor Deborah Kaufman, Herkimer County Legislature head Pete Campione, and State Senator Mark Walczyk, delivered opening speeches from noon to 12:30 p.m., during which Kaufman presented a proclamation to the Buffalo Seaport Museum. Highlights included the planting of a commemorative Eastern White Pine tree and the addition of a Little Falls canal water sample to a collection gathered at each voyage stop—rituals honoring the canal’s enduring flow.

Over at Sterzinar Park, the BarRoom Neon Project kicked off with live music from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a Q&A with the Seneca Chief crew. Vendors were in Sterzinar Park, while BUG Country’s live remote broadcast hyped the festivities.

The Herkimer Home hosted a lantern-lit historical tour to the Home, wagon rides, pumpkin bowling, and a wine-and-beer garden starting around 4 p.m.

At Rock Valley Brewing Company, the Rock Valley Country Fest raged until 11 p.m., featuring acts like Tame the Rooster and Grit n Grace alongside food trucks and craft brews.

“It’s been a fantastic day in Little Falls,” said Brian Trzeciak, Executive Director of the Buffalo Maritime Center, in an on-site interview. “The city has turned out, and the opening ceremonies set the stage for an afternoon of community getting together to really lift up what can happen when people work together.”

Now on day 17 of the voyage that began in Buffalo on September 24, Trzeciak reflected on the warm reception: “We’ve come all the way from Buffalo… and this is a stop that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. You guys did not disappoint. Between everybody talking about the history here… and the inquisitive and appreciative [nature] about the boat, it’s really heartwarming.”

He highlighted the vendors, music, roundtable discussions, and engaging questions that made the stop unforgettable.

Mayor Deborah Kaufman echoed the sentiment in a post-event statement: “What an unforgettable day yesterday, as the Seneca Chief packet boat glided into Benton’s Landing, met by an enthusiastic crowd! The Buffalo Maritime Center’s craftsmanship in this replica is breathtaking—every plank hand-selected as a tribute to the Erie Canal’s legacy. I’ve been captivated by packet boats since learning of their historic voyages, reflected in the Little Falls’ logo—where a packet boat symbolizes our resilient spirit. Stepping aboard was a rare privilege. It was like being immersed in the wonder of what it must have been like for the 1825 travelers and their journeys. The Buffalo Maritime Center crew? They are master boatwrights and the friendliest folks you’d ever want to meet. We’re looking forward to welcoming them again upon their return.”

As the Seneca Chief continues down the Hudson toward New York City—now more than halfway through its journey—the vessel will winter in Waterford, nestled in the canal mud to preserve its wooden hull, a nod to historical practices. The accompanying C. L. Churchill tug will be hauled ashore for maintenance, with plans to relaunch both in the spring or summer for another round, emphasizing youth engagement. “Kids are part of this whole thing,” Trzeciak affirmed.

Supported by the NYS Canal Corporation and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Little Falls festival underscored the canal’s power to unite generations and spark conversations about its lasting impact. For voyage updates and sponsorship opportunities, visit buffalomaritimecenter.org.

Editor’s Note: This was more than a year in the making, and I wanted to mention that I could not have pulled this off without the help of Cathy Cristman and Isabella Stone. On top of that, DPW, Police, and Fire were great as always.

The Video (below) is the Seneca Chief leaving Little Falls on Sunday morning. Images of the festival are below the video. You can watch it on YouTube as well.