The Special Achievement Award recognizes accomplishments that have occurred over a lengthy period of time. This year’s Special Achievement Award will be presented to Thomas X.Grasso, president emeritus of the Canal Society of New York State and commissioner of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

For over three decades, Pittsford resident Tom Grasso has committed his time and talent to the promotion and redevelopment of the historic Erie Canal in New York State.  He is considered a statewide leader in the preservation of the canal and a strong advocate for revitalization efforts of the canal throughout the community.  His strong leadership has brought the World Canal Conference to Rochester twice, during the past decade.  Now retired faculty from the geology department at Monroe Community College, Tom is the author of numerous canal-related publications.  In 2012, the “Thomas X. Grasso Lodge” was dedicated in Greece Canal Park, to honor his many decades of work and advocacy in promoting the canal, often considered the greatest 19^th-century engineering project in the United States.

The Landmark Society’s 2016 Annual Preservation Awards ceremony will take place this Sunday, November 13 at 3 PM in Rochester’s historic City Hall, located downtown at 30 Church Street.