Third Friday Presents: The Canal that Made Chicago: The 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal
Friday, October 17th at 7pm
A fascinating discussion by CMM’S very own Bill Derrah was had on how the Erie Canal opened Great Lakes shipping to the world and built Chicago into a major city. Two hundred years ago, the Erie Canal opened, completely transforming western settlement, economic development, and Chicago.
Bill Derrah joined the Chicago Maritime Society as a volunteer more than a decade ago to help with the museum’s burgeoning artifact collection. A University of Chicago geography major, Bill also holds a master’s degree in history education. More recently, he completed the UofC Artifact Collection Care Certification Program so that he could better address CMM’s collection’s needs. Derrah is also a member of the Chicago Yacht Club’s Island Goat Society, having sailed more than 25 Chicago to Mackinac races.