The Society recently acquired a 1888 folk art oil painting on canvas by Emma J. Parker that depicts High Falls and includes what is likely the DePuy Tavern (location of the current Museum and Visitor Center). This artwork is significant not only because of the location, but because it is one of the rare depictions of the Canal by a woman. Robert A. Meringolo, Founder of The Appraisers Roadshow has offered the following evaluation of Parker’s piece:

“This 19th Century, highly detailed painting of the Depuy Tavern possesses all of the elements of good folk art. It is a classic example of American Folk Art reflecting life in rural upstate New York. The difference between Folk Art and Classical Art is that folk artists although talented are untrained which has led to a lack of depth of field wherein people, animals, and objects are out of proportion and out of scale, which is a highly desirable and charming aspect of the best of Folk Art. This painting contains all of that. Another characteristic of this work that makes it desirable is that topical paintings are rare. This depiction of a specific place in the hamlet of High Falls places it in a special category as it possesses all the desirable elements as the people, in period dress, the horses, wagons, and buildings depicted are all painted in fine detail. The artist has created a wonderful snapshot of America from an earlier time.”