LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Erie Canal Museum for being
awarded accreditation by the American Association of Museums

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay trib-
ute to those places and institutions within the State of New York, whose
historic significance has contributed to the culture and traditions of
our citizens; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Erie Canal
Museum for being awarded accreditation by the American Association of
Museums; and
WHEREAS, As a part of one of the most influential human-built water-
ways ever built, the Erie Canal Museum has been recognized as one of 775
of the nation's 17,000 accredited museums; and
WHEREAS, A civil engineering feat, the Erie Canal opened in 1825 and
covered more than 360 miles of navigable route in New York State, from
the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes; the Erie Canal Museum building,
formerly a weigh lock building in the canal system, was constructed in
1850 to weigh barges and determine toll payments; and
WHEREAS, In 1922, the last canal boat passed through downtown Syra-
cuse; by the 1930s, the weigh lock building had been converted into
offices, and in 1962, the Erie Canal Museum was born; and
WHEREAS, The Erie Canal Museum provides a gateway to Syracuse's histo-
ry such as the Erie Canal, Syracuse China, and the salt mines, as well
as folk and blues musicians, one in particular, Elizabeth Cotton, whose
self-taught left-handed guitar playing and styles influenced many
artists we know today; and
WHEREAS, On the building, adjacent to the Erie Canal Museum, a color-
ful mural gives a preview of what life was like during the Erie Canal
era, what it was like for those who worked along the canal, and how the
immigrant population influenced the canal; and
WHEREAS, The Erie Canal Museum hosted a community celebration of its
accreditation during New York Heritage Weekend, May 14-15, 2011; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Erie Canal Museum on being awarded accreditation by the
American Association of Museums; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Erie Canal Museum.