News: Seneca Chief Back to Buffalo Tour

Date Published	Author
6/11/2026 12:00:00 AM

After traveling east to New York City to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening in the fall of 2025, the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will travel westward along the canal to return to the city of Buffalo, where it all began.

The Back to Buffalo Tour is a statewide education and community engagement initiative led by the Buffalo Maritime Center, designed to connect students, educators, and canal communities with New York’s living maritime heritage. From May to October, the tour invites learners of all ages to explore the Erie Canal through guided boat tours, hands-on demonstrations, public events, festival appearances, and a homeward voyage along the canal. The Seneca Chief serves as a moving symbol of shared history and a platform for statewide learning.

The replica of the historic Seneca Chief boat will be onsite at Gateway Harbor on Friday June 26th for an evening of cermonies, and fun--all celebrating the history of the canal.  The event will begin with an opening ceremony at 4pm where the famous "Wedding of the Waters" ceremony will be re-created with a twist.  Authentic canal music from Dennis & Lainie Reed from Yellow Jack, interactive stations and displays from the NT History Museum, themed crafts and games from the NT Parks & Recreation Department, and tours of the Seneca Chief boat are all planned as part of the festivities.

For more information on Buffalo Maritime Center and the Back to Buffalo Tour click here.