The “future face of America” that Thomas Jefferson spoke of in 1817 when writing to New York State Governor and Erie Canal champion DeWitt Clinton was one of the internal improvements that would transform the early American Republic. He congratulated Clinton on the progress of a canal “…in a state wise enough to see that the common interest is individual interest, and rich enough to pursue it." George Washington had also received encouragement from Jefferson for his Potomac Company canal project but both Clinton and Washington were confronted by major obstacles in their efforts to connect the eastern waters to the new westward expanding nation. Both were successful in the long run in changing the political, economic, and physical landscape of the nation; just in different ways.

Join David Brooks, the Education Director at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, as he looks at the similarities and differences between DeWitt Clinton and George Washington as they navigate the waters of internal improvements in early America.

We are pleased to present our free HISTORY SERIES events on September 22, October 24, and November 3 each sponsored by Kinderhook Bank.

Admission to this program is free, and donations are welcome. For more information, call (518) 673-2314 or email Curator of Education & Public Engagement Jenna Peterson Riley.