04/21/2022
Mural Mania will be dedicating two murals, the “Poorhouse Lock 56” and “Honoring those who worked on the Erie/Barge Canal” in Lyons, New York, on Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m., in celebration of the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep hosted on Earth Day weekend.
Mural Mania will be dedicating two iconic murals that span two historic eras of the Erie Canal. We will be honoring those that built and maintain the Erie Canal. These murals located along the Empire State Trail at the Lyons Dry Dock give a viewer a glimpse back in time to honor those who built, maintained, and transported on the Erie Canal.
The first mural Honoring those who worked on the Erie/Barge Canal was completed in April of 2021 and features the Dipper Dredge No.3, the tugboat DeWitt Clinton and a barge used for the canal spill. Dipper Dredge No. 3 is in the Lyons Dry Dock but has not been operated since 1985. It was built in 1929 but has some “recycled” components from 1909. As a steam powered vessel, it is unlikely that Dipper Dredge No. 3 will ever return to functioning condition. Across the top of the mural are the words “Honoring those who worked on the Erie/Barge Canal.” We used a sepia background overlayed with color to bring the focus to the workers.
The second mural, completed in November 2021, depicts old Erie Canal Lock 56, often referred to as the Poor House Lock because of its proximity to the former Wayne County Poorhouse. Also depicted in this mural is the Poorhouse Grocery store. A store on the Erie Canal where boaters
