Brad L. Utter
B.S., History, 1997, Lander University
M.A. and C.A.S., Public History, 2000, University at Albany
My areas of research revolve around the development of industry and transportation in the State of New York and how that development impacted the lives of New Yorkers. Currently, I am focusing on the New York State canal system as part of preparation for an exhibit on the Erie Canal that will open September 16, 2017. The exhibit, Enterprising Waters: New York’s Erie Canal (Phase One), marks the 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the canal. As an offshoot of that work, I am also working on the story of the Waterford Flight of locks. The “Waterford Flight” as it is known, is a set of 5 locks located at the entrance to the New York State Barge Canal System. 2015 marked the 100th year that the National Civil Engineering Landmark has been in service. My focus has been on the impact on the community both physical and social from the construction to today.