Our Volunteers

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It required a workforce in the thousands to hand dig the original Erie Canal (1817-25). Today, over 200 dedicated volunteers, including Lock Tenders, Boat Tenders, Guides, Tour Leaders, Canal Ambassadors, Reenactors and Canal Clean Up & Flower Tender team members transform the largest extant section of the Enlarged Erie Canal and the surrounding Locks District into a dynamic, living history experience yearly for thousands of visitors to the Lockport Locks.

When the State of New York authorized the construction of the Erie Barge Canal, Lockport was fortunate that only one of the two flights of five locks from the 19th Century was demolished in order to make room for the much larger and deeper Barge Canal Locks. The rehabilitation of the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks has ignited a passion among Lockport citizens to make the Lockport Locks Heritage District a world-class heritage tourism attraction that complements the other outstanding architectural and cultural sites in Western New York.

Lockport area residents are invited to join the ranks of the over 200 Locks District volunteer workforce. Simply complete and submit the Volunteer Sign-Up Form below to become part of our organization. Minimum age for volunteers is 16 years old.

Lock Tenders demonstrate for visitors the manual operation of the wooden lock gates of Locks 68, 69 and 70 in the Erie Canal Flight of Five, as well as lock through our docent vessel, the Erie Traveler. Flight of Five Locks Demonstrations take place every Saturday from 11 AM – 1 PM, June 28 through September 27.  

Flower Tenders plant and care for the flowers and landscape beds in the Locks District. In addition, Flower Tenders assist with weed control, trimming and litter control.

Tour Docents lead the Flight of Five Lock Tender Tour, a 45 minute narrated walking tour of the Locks District, Monday through Friday at 10 AM and 12 noon, and Saturday & Sunday at 10 AM, June 20 through September 26.

Chaperones welcome visitors to the Flight of Five Lock Tender Tour, sign in all visitors and assist Tour Docents in the conduct of the Tour as well as assure the safety of visitors on the Tour.   

Canal Ambassadors staff the Locks District Booth on Canal Street on Saturdays from 9 AM – 2 PM during the period from June 28 – September 27. Canal Ambassadors provide information regarding Lockport’s Erie Canal attractions, encourage visitors to view the Flight of Five Locks Demonstrations and offer Locks District merchandise for sale.