The Erie Canal Discovery Center had its genesis in 2002, when a few men of vision, met to consider the fate of a deteriorating 19^th century structure near the canal in Lockport.  Local folk knew that building as the Hamilton House, built as a Universalist Church, opened in 1843.   In recent years, the building had met declining use by its owners, the First Presbyterian Church.  The original committee was composed of  Rev. Paul Couch of the First Presbyterian Church, Ben Kendig, Developer,  Clint Starke, President-Niagara County Historical Society and former Lockport Mayor Thomas Sullivan.  These men were interested in saving an historic landmark from the wrecking ball, an unfortunate fate common to most of the historic structures that once lined Main Street in Lockport.

The “committee of four” grew in number as more “movers and shakers” were added to the formalized Hamilton House Construction Committee. David Dickinson came on board as Assistant Director of the Niagara County Historical Society.  Dave recognized the importance of the location because of its close proximity to the locks.  He envisioned the site being used for a state-of-the-art museum to showcase the history of the Erie Canal.  Other committee members included Melissa Dunlap, Executive Director of the Niagara County Historical Society, William Evert, Community Development Director for the City of Lockport, Mayor Michael Tucker of Lockport, Rev. Dr. Stephen Devine, Paul Urtel and Charlene Seekins-Smith of the First Presbyterian Church, Ann Marie Linnabery, Assistant Director-Niagara County Historical Society, and later, Robert S. Lindsay, as General Contractor for the project.

This committee also grew in accomplishments as a large grant of support was secured from a private foundation, the Grigg-Lewis Trust of Lockport.  Federal funding was also received with the help of Congressman Tom Reynolds. Additional financial assistance with the project came from NYS Senator George Maziarz, M&T Bank, as well as the Niagara Education Foundation.  With these funding elements in place, the committee forged ahead on its million-dollar plan to preserve a key element of Lockport history, in a way that would also showcase the role Lockport played in the construction of the Erie Canal.  The First Presbyterian Church as landlord, formed an alliance with the City of Lockport, who would operate its Visitor’s Center at the site, and the Niagara County Historical Society, who was to showcase a 21^st century interpretive center surrounding the 19^th century marvel, the Erie Canal.  

The canal forever changed the course of history and the “impossible” flight of five locks, moving water up a sheer cliff of rock at the Niagara Escarpment was an accomplishment that brought fame and prosperity to a small outpost that took its name from those same locks.   The dream and plan for a  “wedding of the waters” was credited to Lockport entrepreneur, Jesse Hawley.  Hawley’s vision found favor with NY Governor Dewitt Clinton, who persuaded a recalcitrant populace to allow him to do what he felt God had intended to do, but had not finished, to provide an inland waterway from New York to Buffalo. The pervasive rock wall at Lockport presented a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in the path of the great “artificial river” that Clinton imagined should join the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes.   Even so, the plan for a mechanical “lock” to lower and raise boats was not new to Lockport; in fact, the design is credited to Leonardo da Vinci.  The astonishing role that Lockport would play was that never before had a flight of locks been designed and created with a course of travel directly through a natural rock escarpment.   The finishing of the Flight of Five at Lockport cleared the way for the opening of an oft maligned “Clinton’s Ditch” on October 26, 1825.  Governor Clinton, himself, was aboard the ceremonial first vessel to traverse the locks.  We now know that the opening of the Erie Canal was, in great part, responsible for the westward expansion in the United States, as well as opening up our nation for the industrial revolution that followed on the heels of the westward settlement.

Explaining the role that Lockport played in the opening of the Erie Canal is the interpretive mission of the Erie Canal Discovery Center.  The visitor is drawn at once to the immense mural that is the artistic focal point of the Center.  The mural, “The Opening of the Erie Canal, October 26, 1825” painted by A. Raphael Beck, depicts the grand celebration that would have accompanied Dewitt Clinton’s passage through the locks at Lockport.  Perhaps we can draw a modern comparison of when man first walked on the moon, and the great celebrations and ticker tape parades that welcomed the space travelers’ return home.  The opening of the Erie Canal had a similar emotional impact on the citizenry of that day.  Raphael Beck, an award winning American artist, made his home in Lockport for most of his life.  The mural was commissioned by the Lockport Exchange Bank, and was unveiled September 19, 1928.  The mural remained at the bank through several corporate changes.  However, cost cutting measures by the last bank at the site, eventually prompted the donation of the mural to the Niagara County Historical Society in 1970.  The Society arranged a loan to the Lockport High School, which was able to display the mural in their auditorium.  The Erie Canal Discovery Center is pleased that it can now provide a state-of-the-art facility in which the public can view the mural.  Grand opening of the Center was held on June 1, 2005.  Additional restoration work is planned for the mural as preservation grants are made available. 

The Beck Mural forms the basis for much that happens at the Discovery Center.  In addition to the beautiful “gallery” in which to display this piece of art, many of the “hands-on” interpretive exhibits draw from individuals depicted in the mural.  Computer kiosks stationed in the viewing room allow the observer to meet and dialog with people from the past, as depicted in the Beck mural.  An exchange of questions and answers helps to guide the visitor through the learning process.  After viewing the mural, guests are invited to enter an automated theater, where the audio/visual recreation will help them to feel as if they really witnessed the events depicted.  Following the narration, “passengers” will board a recreation of an actual Erie Canal packet boat, the Western Comet, for a nighttime “ride” upon the Erie Canal.  The trip is fraught with sensory perceptions, sights and sounds from long ago.  Visitors are even skirted around an 1800’s tavern brawl, to add to the illusion of time-travel.

After completing the “canal trip,” visitors are allowed to sample from among several other “hands-on” activities.  A reproduction of the rock-wall allows guests to find “hidden treasures” within an actual reproduction of the geology found in Lockport.   A working replica of a canal lock has observers performing simple tasks to raise and lower water levels, within the miniature lock, to move a “canal boat” along its path.  Additional displays are used to offer information regarding the life and times of “canawlers,”- people who lived and worked on the Erie Canal.  Even the life of “canal kids” is explained to our visitors, young and old, alike.  Interesting persona from Lockport’s past, such as Birdsall Holley, inventor of the fire hydrant and numerous other devices, are met in an area dedicated to “Lockportians.” 

Patrons can complete their trip with a visit to the “Lock, Stock, & Barrel Mercantile” gift shop located on the lower level.  Modern and bright, but reminiscent of a by-gone era, this warm and inviting shop beckons the visitor to browse and relax, and perhaps enjoy a leisurely snack before making the short trek to the locks.  Visitors are also welcome to pose their travel questions to the staff of the City of Lockport Visitor’s Center, located in the lower level, by the gift shop.   

The Erie Canal Discovery Center is fully handicapped accessible, and is open to the public 7 days a week, from June through October.  Hours of operation are from 10AM to 5PM daily.  Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students under 13.  Children under 5 are admitted without charge. Group tours are arranged through the Niagara County Historical Society at 716.434.7433.