2025 Annual Review
2025 turned out to be a banner year for the D&H Canal Historical Society, and we are delighted to send you this annual report on our progress over the past year.
First, looking at attendance figures, in 2025 we had over 3000 visitors to the museum and visitor center, amounting to over 10,000 visitors since we opened in June of 2022. Prior to that, we averaged 750 visitors annually, so this is a remarkable achievement. Our social media following is quite impressive as well—we currently have 3,100 Facebook followers, 1160 Instagram users, and 1190 subscribers to D&H TV, on YouTube. Additionally, we have over 800 patrons on our mailing list.
We continue to offer two excellent lecture series: the DePuy Local History Series, focused on local history, and the Makers of History Lectures, which explore a wide range of arts, cultural, social, financial, and political topics. Additionally, off-site outreach presentations by our Historian & Curator, Bill Merchant reached another 700 people throughout the area, and in September, our Museum Educator, Nancy Bachana presented at the World Canal Conference.
This past June we hosted the inaugural Canawler Days to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the Delaware & Hudson Canal. It was a weekend filled with activities for children and adults, craft demonstrations, displays, music and dancing. A big attraction of the day was wagon rides along the canal, drawn by two wonderful mules, Dolly and Daisy. We plan to continue to hold Canawler Days every year. Next season it will be on June 27th and 28th, when we will also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Additionally, two exciting events this year deserve special mention:
On September 27th, we held our annual gala, which was themed J.P. Morgan, John Roebling and the D&H Canal in the Guilded Age. In collaboration with the Roebling Museum in New Jersey and the Morgan Library in New York City, we presented the fascinating story of these remarkable leaders, with a fabulous meal and five wine service presided over by Kevin Zraly and based on Morgan’s great feasts aboard his yacht, The Corsair; and
On April 25th, we co-hosted a Day of History, featuring New York State Historian, Devin Lander, with Marist University’s Hudson River Valley Institute. Mr. Lander organized a panel discussion with noted regional historians on the subject of Unlocking History: Innovative Approaches to Preservation and Public Engagement.
We hope to see you soon!
Peter Bienstock, Board President, & Jack Braunlein, Executive Director
