Apr 14, 2025
Commemorating the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial and Looking Ahead to its Third Century
The Erie Canal is a living museum still writing its story—a moving, evolving system of waterways and trails that still connect people, places and ideas. Attendees will learn how they are part of this story and how they can influence connections to New York's iconic waterway.
Key takeaways:
Despite what some may think, the Erie Canal is far from a relic. Each spring, the canal reopens for navigation, welcoming boaters from across the world. As we celebrate the Canal’s 200th birthday, the goal isn’t to look back with nostalgia. It’s to look around—and forward—with purpose. The work of Canal revitalization is ongoing and the Canal Corporation needs you as a partner!
About Rebecca
Rebecca Hughes serves as executive deputy director for the New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). As a senior executive, Rebecca has developed and championed the agency’s strategic vision for Canal Revitalization, a long-range plan to ensure that the historic New York State Canal System remains structurally secure and economically vital as it enters its third century of operation. Her teams are responsible for public and government relations across the 524-mile Canal System as well as the $300 million Reimagine the Canals economic development initiative. Rebecca’s work is driven by building coalitions through open dialog and transparent communication.
Prior to focusing on the Canal Corporation, Rebecca led marketing and consumer engagement programs for several business units at NYPA. These included NY Energy Manager, for the delivery of energy management and advisory services to commercial customers, and EVolve NY, to build a public electric vehicle charging network across New York State. Before joining NYPA in 2017, Rebecca was responsible for administration of the Career Pathways program at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in politics from the State University of New York at Potsdam, and graduate certificates in labor law from Empire State College and in strategic marketing from Cornell University.
About Ashley
Ashley Quimby-Simoni has been with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor since 2020. She manages programs and implements communications strategies to preserve canal heritage, promote tourism, and foster vibrant communities along the 500-mile NYS Canal System. Originally from the Rochester area, Ashley currently resides near Schenectady with her husband and two children.
About the NYS Canal Corporation
New York’s Canal system includes four canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga–Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals form the backbone of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and connect hundreds of unique communities.
The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority.
About the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Since its grand opening in 1825, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor works to preserve the Nation’s extraordinary canal heritage, promote the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York.