Albany/Troy and Sturbridge July 10th

 Albany/Troy, NY

Spent some time in the Albany/Troy NY area, visiting Marlene's family.  Wonderful time.  This area was the beginning of the famous Erie Canal, finished in 1825, connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes and beyond.  It was the first navigable waterway highway in the US and 1) accelerated the development of the Great Lakes region, 2) extended the westward expansion of the US and 3) helped the economic ascendency of the US, particularly the port of NYC.  Called Clinton's folly at the time, the Canal paid for itself in the first year.  It reduced transportation costs to the Midwest by 95%.  Eventually, the railroads, the Interstate Highway system and the St. Lawrence Seaway made the Canal uncompetitive.  Today it is used primarily for pleasure boating.

Of special interest to Marlene, as her grandfather was a Canal boat captain, and Marlene's mother was born on the boat.



This Lock 2 was part of the side cut junction, which allowed boats to continue onto the Erie Canal or turn right and follow the Lake Champlain Canal north.



More of the story.



Boating up the Canal, waiting for the water to fill up the lock.


Sturbridge, Mass 

Sturbridge, Mass is famous for it's Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum of a New England village 1790's-1830's.  Over 40 period buildings, including a Quaker Meeting Hall, 3 water powered mills and a working farm.  Quite remarkable how professional the costumed interpreters are, demonstrating daily life from back in the day.  They explain what they are doing, try to adhere to the times and have lots of apprentices that are learning the old skills.  Very well done.


Looked like lots of school field trips to study living history.




A blacksmith teaching his apprentice


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