Canal Schooner Lois McClure to Visit Middleport

--

WHEN: Thursday, September 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WHERE: Erie Canal (Main Street), Middleport NY

WHAT: The majestic 88-foot canal schooner Lois McClure will visit Middleport as part of a cruise across New York State called the "Our Shared Heritage: World Canals Tour." The authentic replica of an 1862 canal boat will be open the the public for free tours 3-7 p.m., Thursday, September 9. Tours for school groups only are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This expedition is made possible by a partnership between the New York State Canal Corporation, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

WHY: The Lois McClure is on a 1,000-mile summer journey on the "Our Shared Heritage: World Canals Tour." She departed her home port on Lake Champlain on July 22 and will visit 20 historic ports-of-call along the Champlain and Erie Canals, two segments of the modern-day New York State Canal System.

The schooner will arrive at the World Canals Conference in Rochester this September before returning to her home port in the fall. The 2010 cruise is a follow up to the successful "Grand Canal Journey" of 2007 which attracted more than 30,000 to the boat. People from New York and worldwide climbed aboard and stepped back in time.

Constructed in Burlington, Vt., and launched in 2004, the Lois McClure is an exact replica of an 1862 canal schooner designed to sail from lake cities to canal ports using wind power. Upon reaching a canal, the masts were lowered and centerboards raised, transforming the vessel into a typical, shallow-draft canal boat.

Please see the attachments for a description of the Canal Partners for the "World Canals Tour" and for the full schedule of the schooner Lois McClure.

-30-