Rebecca Sweigart ’23 is one of 26 student fellows conducting research with a community-based organization in upstate New York this summer as a part of the Upstate Institute Summer Field School.
This summer, I worked as a Field School Fellow with the Chenango Canal Association through the Upstate Institute. The Chenango Canal Association works to protect and preserve the Chenango Canal as a public, recreational, and historic park for the surrounding communities. They are a 501(c)3 volunteer organization. With the help of their members, along with college students and other local volunteers, they keep the towpath trail clear of brush and the canal open to the public. This summer I created a promotional video and short historical documentary for the association in order to reach out to the community for volunteers as well as to raise awareness.
Prior to my summer project, I was oblivious to the Chenango Canal’s location, importance, and even existence. I had been in Hamilton for three years up to this point and had no idea what the Chenango Canal was. As it turns out, my summer apartment on Lebanon Street sits right where the canal once was. I have been able to explore the 5-mile summit of the Chenango Canal, on which the association focuses its time and energy, as well as meet the people that keep the organization going. They graciously invited me to their board meetings, and I was also able to chat one on one with a majority of the board members about their personal stories about the canal.
Currently approaching the end of the summer, I have finalized a promotional video for the Chenango Canal Association, conducted historical research and interviews, and am constructing a documentary on the history of the canal and the association. In the past, the Chenango Canal Association has had difficulties creating or commissioning a completely successful video on the canal. My goal this summer has been to do everything I can to make sure they have videos to share. These videos aim to increase volunteerism, monetary donations, as well as overall awareness. As a bonus, my work has motivated the organization itself as it redoubles its efforts on behalf of the Chenango Canal.
This is my second summer as an Upstate Fellow and my last as a Colgate student. Overall, I am glad to have spent it with the Chenango Canal Association. I’ve had video editing internships and other opportunities to build my portfolio in the past. However, this summer I’ve been able not only to work in post-production, but also to research, direct, interview, film, and script-write. All of these experiences are priceless, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. As a double major in art and art history and film and media studies, looking toward post-production and art director work in less than a year, I feel much more prepared, thanks to the work I have been able to do with the Upstate Institute and the surrounding community organizations.