World Canals Conference gets a tour of Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Mayor Marguerite Sherman, center, leads a group in downtown Medina this morning after they saw the inside of the Bent’s Opera House, which has been dramatically transformed into a restaurant, hotel and event venue.

There were about 85 people in medina today as part of the World Canals Conference in Buffalo. The conference split up into four different field trips today.

Medina and Lockport were one stop with a focus on how history, preservation and the arts can lead to economic revitalization.

Sherman during her remarks to the group said many in Medina contribute to the community’s success. She said Medina is fortunate to have many committed downtown business owners, and civic groups that plan events and help beautify the business district.

This group visited the First Baptist Church of Medina, which was built from 1870 to 1873 and is one of 43 sites in the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.

The canal enthusiasts took a look inside the historic Baptist Church. While in Medina, the group of 85 split into four different groups.

The Medina Triennial was a stop on the tour. The Triennial will bring a major art initiative into the community in 2026. The Triennial building will serve as the “Hub” for cultural programming.

In the downtown, the group also toured the Shirt Factory building which has a café, boutique hotel and law offices.

Photo courtesy of Isabella Zasa: The tour included a stop at one of the marvels of the canal system, the Canal Culvert in Ridgeway. This is the only place where vehicles can drive under the canal.