We need your help to make history!
The Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary has given the Buffalo Maritime Center a powerful platform to launch our most ambitious and community-focused programs yet - with more offerings planned for 2025 than ever before!
On September 24, 2025 - the Buffalo Maritime Center’s volunteer-built replica of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will launch its once-in-a-lifetime, 33-day Bicentennial Voyage from Buffalo to New York City. Stopping at 28 ports and reaching up to 9.5 million New Yorkers, this historic journey will deliver free, family-friendly educational and cultural programs to the public!
Y ou can help us prepare for our journey by making a 💸 donation that will help us get the supplies we need to keep our education and cultural programs free!
How you can help:
1. Select item(s) from the wishlist
2. Make a monetary donation
3. The BMC will purchase the item you've funded!*
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
4. See your donation in use by visiting the BMC and the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief throughout the Bicentennial Voyage in 2025!
Did you know? Your donation supports the BMC and helps make history happen:
🕰️ 200 YEARS since the opening of the Erie Canal (1825-2025)
🫶 20,000+ VOLUNTEER HOURS contributed to building the replica of Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief
🛟 75 ROTATING CREW MEMBERS - staff, volunteers, and educators
⚓️ 28+ PORTS to be visited, comprised of 9.5 million NYS residents
🌲 28 WHITE PINE TREES planted in remembrance and renewal
👥 25,000+ IN-PERSON ENGAGEMENTS projected during the voyage
🗺️ 500 MILES from Buffalo to NYC
⭐️ ONE MISSION: To honor our shared past while inspiring our future.
Your gifts have allowed BMC to create and expand programs like:
- Student boatbuilding through BMC’s Hand-to-Hand & Navigator programs
- The “Erie Canal Boat Summer Series” at Canalside
- Free On-the-Water Paddling & Sailing programs - 3 nights a week, all summer long
- Rowboat & Flamingo rentals at Hoyt Lake - May through September
- Engaging, on-site learning programs during the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief’s statewide voyage
- Hands-on Artisan Demonstrations & Workshops throughout the year
- Ongoing exhibits & traditional boatbuilding at our Boatshop & Museum on Arthur Street
Make a gift today to help us continue our community-building mission, one boat at a time. Together, we’re building more than boats - we’re making history.
To make a donation via check, please write out your check + mail payment to:
Buffalo Maritime Center Inc.
90 Arthur St.
Buffalo, NY 14207
Wishes
- 10 granted
- 0 remaining
Be a friend and donate a fender!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Buy a Buoy for the BMC Fleet!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Keep our crew safe with this essential boating emergency/rescue device!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These Canopy Heaters will help warm up our volunteers, visitors, and staff during all kinds of seasons and weather during our programs.
We are asking for 2 heaters - one for each of our 2 BMC program E-Z UP tents.
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 3 remaining
These lights will be used to help light way for visitors in the fall evenings and help us with safety onboard!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 1 remaining
Keep our crew safe with this essential boating emergency/rescue device!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These gloves help protect hands with line handling. They give us extra grip and help keep hands warmer in cool temps!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help BMC on the move - this will help us move our supplies from the dock to the boat and back!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 1 remaining
🫧 Help the crew stay clean with this sustainable cleaner!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These tent sides will help protect our volunteers, visitors, and staff from the elements during all kinds of seasons and weather during our programs.
We are asking for 2 sets of tent walls - one for each of our 2 BMC program E-Z UP tents.
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help light the way! 🔦 These rechargeable flashlights are essential to keeping crew members safe in the dark!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
Help us provide a safe experience for visitors waiting in line to see the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief!
- 0 granted
- 4 remaining
Help the our supplies and dry food stay on the voyage!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help keep our crew or volunteers and staff safe with these life vests!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Suds for Sailors'! Help the crew stay fresh with these detergent sheets - a sustainable and space efficient solution for laundry on the voyage!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 4 granted
- 0 remaining
🍴 Help provide the crew mess kit!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 2 granted
- 0 remaining
This donation will be "un'fork'getable" 🍴 Help provide the crew mess kit!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Help us be tidy AND sustainable!
24 Reusable Paper Towels Washable Roll - 100% Cotton Absorbent Dish Towels for Kitchen Paper Towels - Made To Last & Cut Back Waste with ZeroWastely Dish Cloth
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Suds for Sailors'! 🫧 Help the crew stay fresh with this sustainable soap!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Highlights
See all activityActivity
- 10 granted
- 0 remaining
Be a friend and donate a fender!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Buy a Buoy for the BMC Fleet!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Keep our crew safe with this essential boating emergency/rescue device!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These Canopy Heaters will help warm up our volunteers, visitors, and staff during all kinds of seasons and weather during our programs.
We are asking for 2 heaters - one for each of our 2 BMC program E-Z UP tents.
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 3 remaining
These lights will be used to help light way for visitors in the fall evenings and help us with safety onboard!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 1 remaining
Keep our crew safe with this essential boating emergency/rescue device!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These gloves help protect hands with line handling. They give us extra grip and help keep hands warmer in cool temps!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help BMC on the move - this will help us move our supplies from the dock to the boat and back!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 1 remaining
🫧 Help the crew stay clean with this sustainable cleaner!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
These tent sides will help protect our volunteers, visitors, and staff from the elements during all kinds of seasons and weather during our programs.
We are asking for 2 sets of tent walls - one for each of our 2 BMC program E-Z UP tents.
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help light the way! 🔦 These rechargeable flashlights are essential to keeping crew members safe in the dark!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
Help us provide a safe experience for visitors waiting in line to see the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief!
- 0 granted
- 4 remaining
Help the our supplies and dry food stay on the voyage!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
Help keep our crew or volunteers and staff safe with these life vests!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 0 granted
- 2 remaining
Suds for Sailors'! Help the crew stay fresh with these detergent sheets - a sustainable and space efficient solution for laundry on the voyage!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 4 granted
- 0 remaining
🍴 Help provide the crew mess kit!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 2 granted
- 0 remaining
This donation will be "un'fork'getable" 🍴 Help provide the crew mess kit!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Help us be tidy AND sustainable!
24 Reusable Paper Towels Washable Roll - 100% Cotton Absorbent Dish Towels for Kitchen Paper Towels - Made To Last & Cut Back Waste with ZeroWastely Dish Cloth
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
- 1 granted
- 0 remaining
Suds for Sailors'! 🫧 Help the crew stay fresh with this sustainable soap!
*Due to the BMC's specific needs, we ask that you DO NOT purchase items on your own or drop off previously used donation items. Thank you for your cooperation and generosity!
