The Erie Canal is turning 200 and has plenty of stories to tell. A Newhouse School journalism project involved as many as 100 students who found unique personal, cultural and inspirational stories. The resulting multi-media project, Unlocking NY, showed off reporting, photography, digital media and other skills, presenting over 30 pieces.
On this episode of Newhouse Impact, magazine, news and digital journalism professor Jon Glass describes the project, which involved collaboration with media outlets to give students unique experiences. Kiran Hubbard and Brycen Pace also join us to describe their experiences seeking out stories and learning the history of the canal. The project — and this conversation — sit in the context of a statewide commemoration surrounding the Bicentennial. Museums, communities and media partners roll out events, concerts and documentaries exploring the canal’s complex impact, including on Indigenous nations and Black Americans. That broader context gives student work unique stakes: they’re reporting in real time as the state reflects on what the canal meant—and what it should mean next.
Newhouse Impact is a collaboration between WAER and the Newhouse School of Public Communications with help from the office of Dr. Regina Lutrell. Research and guest scheduling help from Chris Fiegel. Production help from Grace Anthony.
Music in this episode is Lake Front by the Syracuse-based jazz group E.S.P.
