Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of photographs and negatives taken to document the construction and operations of the Barge Canal, ca. 1900-1990. Many of the photographs document the Utica Region of the canal from Amsterdam to Oneida Lake, the Black River Canal, and the Northern and Southern Reservoir Systems. Photos typically depict canal structures including locks, bridges, dams; ice and flood conditions; terminals; equipment; shops; damage and repairs; construction progress; and other sites and activities.

Photographs are mostly black and white usually accompanied by negatives and captioned on versos or envelopes. Photographs mostly measure four by six inches or smaller. Some color photos and a very few color slides are present as well as one 16mm motion picture film (date and subject are uncertain). There is also a series of aerial photos documenting the Barge Canal from Lock 10 to Lock 27 taken December 1935 to document federal improvement of the Barge Canal.

Some of the later photos were created by the Syracuse Division of the New York State Thruway Authority, ca. 1984-1994.

B1909-15: This accretion contains photographs, negatives, and motion picture film documenting construction and operations of the Barge Canal. Photographs depict locks, dams, and bridges along the canal. There are five canisters and one box of motion picture film that include canal footage, with some personal footage of employees mixed in.