Walter Lewis, a prominent Great Lakes Maritime Historian, will present insights into the Maritime History of the Great Lakes and the digitization of related historical records and journals, including the H. N. Throop Collection as shared by W-PHS.

When: Wednesday, August 19th, at 7pm
Where: Gates Hall, 4107 Lake Road, Pultneyville

This program is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted and very much appreciated.  Your support enables W-PHS to continue preservation efforts to make valuable improvements to Gates Hall, preserving its notable place in history, which began in 1826 when it was built as Union Church, the community’s first sacred place of worship.

Lewis’ presentation will examine the emergence of Great Lakes tourism and travel during the 19th century and the opportunities it created for sailors, steamboat operators, and businessmen such as Captain H.N. Throop.

The year 1825 was pivotal. With the opening of the Erie Canal, travelers gained a new route connecting the Hudson River with the Great Lakes. That same year, Theodore Dwight and Henry Gilpin published travel guides for those looking to escape the summer heat and explore the North.

The journey that became known as the Northern Tour could take travelers from New York City to Albany, west along the Erie Canal to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and then east through New York or Upper Canada to the St. Lawrence River. From there, travelers could journey through the Thousand Islands to Montreal and Quebec City before returning by way of the Richelieu River, Lake Champlain and Saratoga Springs.

For communities along Lake Ontario, including Pultneyville, this growing movement of people was part of a much larger maritime and transportation network. Local ports, vessels, sailors and businesses were connected to activity extending across the Great Lakes and into the St. Lawrence River, creating opportunities that would continue to develop over the next century.

Lewis will discuss efforts to digitize and preserve Great Lakes maritime records and journals, including the H.N. Throop Collection provided by W-PHS. These historical materials help connect the stories of individuals and communities along Lake Ontario with the broader maritime history of the Great Lakes.