We are now open for the 2010 season!
Now open 7 days a week from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The Boonville Black River Canal Museum is located in Boonville, New York at the
Junction of Main Street and Route 12 on the Banks of the Original Canal.

The 77-mile long Black River Canal was an engineering marvel of the 19th century.  Built between 1837 and 1855, the Black River Canal ran uphill, connecting the waters of the Erie Canal with those of Black River.  The southern section of the overland canal linked Rome and Boonville, a distance of  25 miles.  Following the rugged Lansing Kill Gorge, this section of the canal rose 693 feet and required 70 locks.  The northern section of the overland canal connected Boonville and Lyons Falls, a distance of 10 miles.  This section of the canal descended 386 feet and required 39 locks.  All together, the Black River Canal had 109 locks--still a world record.   Between Lyons Falls and Carthage, a distance of 42 miles, the Black River itself was canalized for slack-water navigation.  By giving the North Country access to  eastern and midwestern markets, the Black River Canal was instrumental in the region's growth and prosperity. (History of the Black River Canal)

For more than a half a century, the Black River Canal played a central role in the life of  the North Country.  Appreciating the  rich historical legacy of the canal, a group of interested Boonville residents secured a charter from the New York State Board of Regents to construct a museum that will preserve, house, and display artifacts from the canal era.  The museum grounds are located near the Main St. bridge in Boonville, NY.  Three buildings are planned for the site: an exhibit hall, a small theater, and a gift shop.  A full-scale replica of canal boat is located on the museum grounds, a recently restored original warehouse that will house some exhibits, and soon to be constructed building to hold artifacts, exhibits, and more.

1874 Beers Map of Boonville Canal District. (Click on image for large view)	The Boonville Black River Canal Museum is located on a site formerly occupied by the Titus Powers Iron Works, built circa 1850 near the Main Street Bridge.  The site later became the Holdridge and Gilbert Foundry and Machine Shop.  This foundry is shown on the 1874 Beers map. Foundry Circa 1932

 

 

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