Students from Van Schaick Grade School had the opportunity to tour a historic replica boat making its way down the Erie Canal during a 33-day journey.
The third, fourth and fifth graders took a walking field trip on October 16 to the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, where they toured a full-sized replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. Constructed by the Buffalo Maritime Center, the boat is making its Bicentennial Voyage along the Erie Canal to mark the 250 year anniversary of Gov. DeWitt Clinton’s 1825 inaugural journey.
The Seneca Chief left Buffalo on September 24 and is expected to reach Pier 26 in New York City on October 26.
VSGS Principal Jacqueline DeChiaro was grateful for the opportunity her students had to step back in time and experience history firsthand onboard the Seneca Chief.
“Watching their faces light up as they connected with the past reminded me why these hands-on learning opportunities are so vital,” said Mrs. DeChiaro. “When children can touch, see, and feel history rather than just read about it in textbooks, it transforms their understanding and sparks a genuine curiosity that will stay with them for years to come.”
At certain points along the journey, the Buffalo Maritime team stops to plant Eastern White Pine trees, a symbolic gesture to honor the Iroquois and their history, and to promote sustainability. At each port, water from the canal is collected and will be used to water the final tree planted in New York City, a modern take on the “Wedding of the Waters” ceremony.
VSGS students had the opportunity to take part in this special ceremony, many commenting how fun it was to plant a tree and how it will be “as tall as the sky” when they are adults.
This is yet another great example of how our teachers incorporate real world experiences into instruction.