Wurtsboro marked a monumental moment in its history this weekend with a celebration honoring the 200th anniversary of the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) canal groundbreaking that included a reenactment of the original speech, a parade, live music and a fashion show.

The day began with a parade that featured a horse-drawn carriage, vintage Oldsmobiles and members of the committee dressed in reenactment attire. The procession made its way through town, ending at Sullivan Street, where speeches and events at the reenactment site began.

The event was led by the D&H Canal Bicentennial committee co-chairs Janet Lybolt and Kerron Barnes who spent nearly two years planning the commemoration. Barnes, who originally proposed the idea, reflected on the significance of the moment, reminding the crowd that, “we stand on the shoulders of the impoverished Irish, Welsh and other immigrants who came for a better life and built this canal”

Among those in attendance were the descendants of the Wurts brothers, who created the canal. Catherine Wurts Maier shared how meaningful the day was for her family, 

“It was such a gift to reconnect. We’ve always treasured the legacy but didn’t realize how much Wurtsboro remembered too; that it had such an impact and that the community cared about its roots.” For many members of the family, including Elizabeth and Edward Wurts, it was their first visit to the town. Elizabeth stated that they had made it their mission to attend the 200th anniversary as they had missed the previous celebration due to being stationed overseas. 

Edward added, “I wanted to come up and see it someday and today was that someday.”

The celebration featured a speech from Congressman Josh Riley who praised the canal for putting the town “on the map” by bringing “freight, trade and opportunity to upstate New York.” 

He drew comparison between the canal and the ongoing fight to keep Exit 114 open, a local lifeline that helps small businesses, emergency responders and tourism thrive, “just as the canal forged this town’s proud past, keeping Exit 114 open will mean a bright future.” Assemblywoman Paula Kay echoed his sentiments assuring the crowd that “Exit 114 is not an option, it has to remain open.” 

Her words were met with applause from a community deeply invested in its growth.

The highlight of the ceremony was David Lybolt, a committee member, dressed as Philip Hone, the canal’s first president, and delivered excerpts from Hone’s original speech. 

In the conclusion of the speech, he performed the ceremonial groundbreaking using a golden shovel as a live band began to play “Hail Columbia” the same song that played during the original groundbreaking.

When speaking afterward, Janet Lybolt emphasized the deeper meaning behind the celebration, “because of the canal, people came, the town sprang up, and we were able to prosper. It’s important to pay homage to your history.”

As the festivities continued into the evening with activities, presentations and a guided tour, the message remained clear, the past is not only to be remembered but also honored as the foundation for the future.