Erie Canal Village Rome(Rome, NY – April 2015) Empire State Heritage Park, LLC will take over management of the Erie Canal Village in Rome May 1. Beginning on that day, the property will be open to the public, without charge, even as restoration work begins to bring the Village back to its original condition.

The Village is located at 5789 Rome-New London Road and was developed by the State of New York to memorialize the starting point of the Erie Canal, “America’s Highway to the West.”  The Canal was crucial to the development of New York and to the entire country.

“Locked gates have been keeping people out of Erie Canal Village for too long. This is a new day for the people of Central New York,” said Ron Prince, CEO of the company taking charge of the 210 acre historic site.

Joe Fusco, mayor of Rome, will cut the lock on the main gate at 11 a.m. on May 1 and lead a group of concerned citizens across the bridge into the village.   Most of the buildings in the village were cited by the city as “unsafe to enter” in 2012 and have remained closed to the public since then.

Timothy D. Shannon, vice president and chief operating officer of the company said, “Getting these buildings repaired and re-opened is our top priority.”

Shannon will conduct a tour of the village and explain the company’s plans for repairs and for new development.  Shannon’s assistant, Mark Clough, will be on hand to describe how problems like caved-in foundations and rotten timbers will be remedied.

“This is one of the most historically significant places in the country, it must be saved,” said Edwin R. Williams. Williams serves as vice president for Arts and Entertainment.  He is also a resident of Rome. He said that the Park’s first public event, the Empire State Open House Craft Fair, would be held over the Memorial Day Weekend, running from May 23 to 25. Workers at the Park will be on the job 24/7 getting ready for the event.

“Prepping for this show in just three weeks will be a monumental feat but we’re up for the challenge,” Williams said.

Danielle Gorton-Williams, the company’s creative director, is working with local talent to provide entertainment at the Craft Fair, ensuring that everyone will have a good time.

“People used to come here for special times,” she said. “We want them to be able to enjoy those times again.”

“I think we can make a significant difference by Memorial Day,” Prince said, adding in hopes that people “will be impressed” with what they see.

Admission to the Empire State Open House Craft Fair will be free of charge to the public.  Vendor applications are being accepted until May 10.

For more information or to request a vendor application email danielle@empirestateheritagepark.com or call (315) 281-8181.

 

 

 

 

By martha

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