Seaway Trail Walks© to Give Visitors Unique Views of Byway Communities

Seaway Trail Walks Now In Nine Byway Communities

In their third season, Seaway Trail Walks, a guided walking tour series throughout New York State's
Great Lakes-Seaway Trail region, has nearly doubled in size. Nine communities located on or near Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River: Erie, PA; Westfield, North Tonawanda, Lewiston, Oswego, Sackets Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay and Waddington, NY, NY will offer 90-minuteguided tours weekly June 12—September 30, 2005.

Each Seaway Trail Walk provides a unique look at local and regional history, including 200 years of architectural styles, maritime and military sites, and the 1000 Islands Gilded Age. Walkers will see the 1815 Dickson Tavern where the Marquis de Lafayette visited in Erie; Fort Ontario, Sackets Harbor Battle-
field; Millionaire's Row in Alexandria Bay; the Union Hotel where young US Army Lt. Ulysses S. Grant played checkers in Sackets Harbor; and the oldest church north of the Mohawk River in Waddington.

Among the American notables and legendary characters the Seaway Trail Walks guides talk about are President Abraham Lincoln, who has a statue commemorating his visit with a little girl in Westfield; lumber barons in North Tonawanda; cocktail waitresses in Lewiston; Underground Railroad conductors in Lewiston and Oswego; and river rats and bootleggers in Clayton.

The tours that begin at 5 pm encourage Walkers to enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the host community.

Walks precede free concerts in North Tonawanda and Clayton, and are the same nights as farmers markets in Oswego and Waddington. On Saturday afternoons, costumed guides play the part of historic local figures in Lewiston. Erie, PA, hosts Sunday afternoon Walks.

“These tours offer visitors and residents a narrated view of local life and encourage patronage of local restaurants, shops, farmers markets and overnight accommodations,” says Seaway Trail, Inc. Executive Director Teresa Mitchell, who developed the program after enjoying a London Walks tour while in England
for World Travel Market.

Local arts, history and civic organizations co-sponsor the Seaway Trail Walks. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children under 12; $6/per person in groups of 15 or more. Reservations are not necessary; Walks are weather permitting.

Seaway Trail Walks 2005

Seaway Trail Walks: Erie, PA — Sundays, 2 pm

Tour Pennsylvania’s only lake port city, known as the Erie Triangle. See the 1815 Dickson Tavern visited by the Marquis de Lafayette and the Old Orthodox Church of the Nativity, with a larger, gold onion dome church built over the foundation of the 1919 church. Learn about regional maritime heritage, and Erie’s historic downtown and homes, including Russian and Polish neighborhoods. Walks, hosted by the Erie County Historical Society, begin and end at the Cashier’s House - built in 1839 for the head cashier of the city’s Bank of the United States - at 417 State Street.

Seaway Trail Walks: Westfield, NY — Wednesdays, 5 pm

Architecture spanning nearly two centuries awaits Seaway Trail Walkers in Westfield, home of the Lincoln-Bedell statues commemorating a Presidential candidate’s meeting with a little girl who offered him campaign advice. Enjoy seeing a rich mix of historic architectural styles and quaint stores and shops. Sponsored by the Landmark Society, these tours begin at the Patterson Library, 40 South Portage Street, and end at Candlelight Lodge Bed and Breakfast and the Captain Storm House.

Seaway Trail Walks: North Tonawanda, NY — Wednesdays, 5 pm

Revisit the 1900s “Lumber City” on the Niagara River and Erie Canal. Learn about the immigrant heritage of “the Lumber Capital of the World,” see the Victorian mansion homes of the lumber barons. Two rotating walks feature North Tonawanda’s Industrial Heritage and North Tonawanda’s Historic Homes. Walks, hosted by the North Tonawanda History Museum, begin and end at the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, 180 Thompson Street. Stay after for a free concert in Gateway Park.

Seaway Trail Walks: Lewiston, NY — Spirits of the Seaway Trail — Saturdays, 2 pm

On this “Living History Walking Tour,” costumed guides represent Lewiston’s founding families and lead fascinating tours combining history with local tales and legends. Discover best-kept secrets and learn about the Morgan Affair, Tryon’s Folly, how the “cocktail” was invented, the Underground Railroad, Plain Street, Historical Museum, and Niagara County’s oldest public cemetery. Sponsored by Lewiston Council on the Arts, Walks begin at Lewiston Visitors Center, 476 Center Street. Seaway Trail Walks: Oswego, NY — Thursdays, 5 pm Oswego, where Lake Ontario meets the Oswego River Canal (part of the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor), is home to National Register neighborhoods. Seaway Trail Walkers here see historic architecture, learn about Oswego’s role in military and maritime history, and visit Underground Railroad and canal sites. Walks, sponsored by the Oswego County Department of
Promotion and Tourism, begin at East First Street across from the O&W Railroad Tunnel. Stay after the Walk to visit the local Farmers Market.

Seaway Trail Walks: Sackets Harbor, NY — Wednesdays, 5 pm

A War of 1812 battlefield, military barracks and a breathtaking bay have long been the roots of Sackets Harbor. Learn how historic preservation and tourism have influenced the renaissance of this lovely Lake Ontario waterfront village, Madison Barracks and War of 1812 sites. Walks begin at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center on the corner of West Main and Ray Streets. Arrive early to visit the Discovery Center.

Seaway Trail Walks: Clayton, NY — Thursdays, 5 pm

Experience the “romance of the Thousand Islands” on a Seaway Trail Walks through this scenic riverfront village, picturesque Clayton on the St. Lawrence River. Learn some of the fascinating industrial and commercial history of the 1000 Islands, see Italianate-style brick buildings, hear tales of “River Rats” and bootleggers. After the Walk, enjoy a free waterfront concert at Frink Park. Walks begin at the Thousand Islands Museum, 312 James Street.

Seaway Trail Walks: Alexandria Bay, NY — Tuesdays, 5 pm

On this Seaway Trail Walks tour, you will hear enchanting stories of the waterfront’s turn-of-the century grand hotels, and anecdotes of dignitaries and wealthy guests who frequented Millionaire’s Row and the historic sites and churches in this captivating, time-honored tourist destination. These Seaway Trail Walks are sponsored by and begin at the Cornwall Brothers Store and Heritage Arts Center, 36 Market Street.

Seaway Trail Walks: Waddington, NY — Fridays, 5 pm

Seaway Trail Walks: Waddington offers a look at the oldest church north of the Mohawk River; industrial period houses of native stone; and Ogden Land Office among other State & National Historic Register sites. Learn this St. Lawrence riverfront village’s local tales and trivia about earthquake rods, the first machine-made scythe and ax, the molasses spill and Waddington's "Gift to the Golden West." A 4 pm-dusk Farmer's Market is a bonus. Walks, sponsored by the Waddington Chamber of Commerce, begin at the historic Town Hall, 38 Main Street.

Reservations are not needed for Seaway Trail Walks, which will go rain or shine. The cost is $8 for adults; $4 for children under 12; $6/per person in groups of 15 or more and will be collected at the time of the Walk. Call 1-800-Seaway-T (1-800-732-9298) for more details or to request a free copy of Journey Magazine 2005-06 & Directory to the Seaway Trail.