2014 Erie Canalway Grants Boost Education and Preservation for Montezuma

The Montezuma Historical Society is the recipient of one of ten innovative education and preservation projects that will get off the ground this year with funding support from Erie Canalway Grants. This project was made possible in part with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is investing $65,530 in grants, which will be matched by an additional $478,000 in private and public project funding raised by grant recipients. The grants are aimed at inspiring people to learn more about New York's legendary canals and further explore the National Heritage Corridor.

Funding was received by the Montezuma group for organizational planning to chart a course for organizational development and sustainability. The purpose of this project is to facilitate the continued preservation, interpretation, and enhancement of significant canal sites and historic properties in the Town of Montezuma. The Society has been working with an independent museum  consultant, Sally Treanor from Buffalo. Treanor is the former Senior Director of Administration & Operations at Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, and brings a variety of experience working with both large and small scale groups.

Formed in 2006, Montezuma Historical Society has focused its attention on the Town’s rich Erie Canal heritage and development of a Heritage Park because of its potential for the community and visitors. It has sponsored historic walking tours and created a “Friends of the Montezuma Heritage Park” group to promote and develop a recreational nature park and to preserve the park’s historic resources.  Most recently it has supported the town to create a yearly 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run to invest in the park’s development. In order for the Society to sustain and continue its investment in the community it needs to plan for future growth.