Gateway to the Heartland: Eisenhower and the Seaway (Lunch & Learn)

Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

YouTube Livestream Link

NOTE: This program was originally scheduled for Oct 22 and has been moved to Nov 19.

GUEST SPEAKER:
Amy Stark, Director of Community Relations and the Seaway Visitor Center
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

Guest speaker Amy Stark will virtually present "Gateway to the Heartland: Eisenhower and the Seaway." She will discuss President Eisenhower's role in establishing the St. Lawrence Seaway as a key trade route between the Atlantic and North America's industrial core. Stark will cover the project's history—from diplomatic challenges to the 1954 Wiley–Dondero Act and the 1959 opening. She will explain how Eisenhower viewed the Seaway as vital for peace, trade, and infrastructure. Finally, she will connect Eisenhower’s 1950s decisions to the Seaway's current economic impact.

Stark is the Director of Community Relations and the Seaway Visitor Center at the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. Under Stark’s leadership, the Seaway Visitor Center earned the Best Destination Marketing Award from the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce during its reopening year, reflecting its role as an educational and tourism hub.

The 2026 programming season celebrates America's 250th anniversary and examines President Eisenhower's top accomplishments in the continual pursuit of a more perfect Union. These themes complement the current 'Ike's Work' exhibit, which highlights Eisenhower’s engagement with citizens and his administration's accomplishments. These programs are made possible courtesy of The Eisenhower Foundation.