Philip Morris proudly MCs the ribbon cutting for the new Schenectady Heritage area and Mohawk Towpath Byway visitor center.

Today marked another achievement for Schenectady and the Mohawk Towpath Byway.  Proctors Executive Director Philip Morris and Mayor Gary McCarthy led local and county officials and regional tourism enthusiasts by officially cutting the ribbon to the Schenectady Heritage Area and Mohawk Towpath Byway visitor center.  The visitor center is in “Robb Alley” immediately across from the Apostrophe Cafe and the Proctors Box Office.  Over 600,000 people annually pass through the visitor center.  It will be interesting to see what sparks the most interest within the several themes included in the visitor center exhibits.

Representatives from numerous organizations came together to develop the content of the exhibit including the Schenectady County Historical Society, Schenectady Museum, Mabee Farm, local historians, Proctors History Committee, Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, Revolutionary Byway and the City of Schenectady.

A unique feature of the Visitors Center is that it is designed to be a revolving exhibit, enabling Proctors, with the help of contributors, to introduce new subject matter throughout the year. The exhibit panels are designed to be easily and cost effectively updated.

Judith Dagostino, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, also announced that Proctors will be the tourism promotion agency for the County.  Having the County’s cultural center involved in tourism promotion is expected to be a boon for this facet of economic development for Schenectady and this end of the Mohawk Valley.

Mayor McCarthy and Philip Morris prepare to cut the ribbon for the Visitor Center.