Volunteers Needed

Plans are firming up for the Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30th Erie Canal site dig in Montezuma.  The site was cleared last week by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Inmate work program.  Thanks to the volunteers and donators who have help with preparations and provided all the necessary tools and supplies.  Volunteers Margaret Sullivan and Nancy Bates will be filming and photographing to document the event.

We plan on getting started at 10 AM at the site on Saturday.  Several volunteers are needed to help dig, sift and record the artifacts. Participants should dress accordingly for the elements in a wooded area.  If you plan on participating with the dig, please bring a masonry shovel (flat-ended).

There's a walking trail into the site and it will be necessary to cross a small walking bridge and climb steps that crosses Clinton's Ditch to the digging site. The site is located off a trail starting on Chapman Road in the Town of Montezuma.  Directions to the site are as follows: 

Coming from Routes 38 or 31 in Port Byron, take Route 31 West to Montezuma. Take your first left on High Street past the intersection of Routes 31 and 90,  Turn at the first right to Chapman Road past the Montezuma Town Highway Barn to the parking area on the right to enter the walking trail into the site.

Coming from South on Route 90 to Montezuma take left past post office onto Main Street; turn right onto High Street; take first left onto Chapman Road past the Montezuma Town Highway Barn to the parking area on the right to enter the walking trail into the site.

Coming from the East on Route 31 to Montezuma, turn right just past the Seneca River Bridge;  turn at the first right to Chapman Road past the Montezuma Town Highway Barn to the parking area on the right to enter the walking trail into the site.

If you need further directions, please call (315) 406-6575 or (315) 406-6572.

The dig will be lead by David Babson, Archaeologist. Canal Historian Mike Riley will be there to share the history of the Erie Canal era and how the site was used by the lock tenders and lighteners for the original ditch. 

Hope to see you there!