Get Involved: Interpretation and Orientation
The National Heritage Corridor serves to enhance public awareness of the canal system as a continuous, connected, and unifying entity of genuine national significance.
 
Among the ways to link distinct communities and sites in the Corridor is through the use of signs. A consistent message, consistently presented dramatically improves the quality of the visitor experience.
 
Sign Projects
 

• Orientation/Wayfinding Signs
  Corridor boundary signs have been erected along the NYS Thruway, I87 Northway, and along state roads to announce entry into the Corridor at key access points. The signs provide a sense of arrival and establish the Corridor presence and identity for the approximately 50 to 60 million people who see them each year.
   
  We are currently working in partnership with NPS Harpers Ferry Center and the NYS Canal Corporation to produce additional wayfinding signs to be placed at about 40 canal sites in 2013. The signs will introduce boaters and other visitors to the Canalway Corridor and provide direction to community resources.
   
  

• Outdoor Interpretive Signs (also known as Waysides)
  These signs help to engage and inform residents and visitors about specific features at key sites and provide information about history, culture, or the natural environment. Interpretive panels are designed to tell local stories and connect communities and significant sites to a larger sense of shared history in the Canalway Corridor.
   
  

• Indoor Gateway Signs at Canal Sites
  Working in partnership with
  20 canal-related cultural and historic sites we produced "gateway" signs to introduce visitors to the National Heritage Corridor. View them
  in our Special Gallery >
   
• Mobile Wayside Exhibits
  A series of six-foot banners
  tell the canal story and are used for special events.
   
  
• Day Peckinpaugh
  The Day Peckinpaugh is an operational canal motor ship, owned by the NYS Museum, that serves as a traveling exhibit and classroom. The vessel includes permanent onboard exhibits, as well as portable exhibits that are set up canalside to educate visitors. more >