By Dave Warner
Little Falls, NY – Amid the serene grounds of Herkimer Home State Historic Site, community members, history buffs, and representatives from organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) gathered Sunday to pay tribute to General Nicholas Herkimer. The annual ceremony marked the 248th anniversary of the Revolutionary War hero’s death, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve his legacy and the Mohawk Valley’s rich history.
The event, held at the historic mansion where Herkimer lived and died, featured a speech by site staff member Edward Heinrichs, who delved into the themes of remembrance, commemoration, and preservation. Heinrichs emphasized how these efforts have evolved over centuries, from Native American ancestral traditions to European settlers’ cultural retention and modern-day restorations.
“Commemoration is something, one way or another, we do every day,” Heinrichs said in his address, reflecting on the site’s history. He traced early preservation back to Herkimer’s Palatine German roots, noting how family heirlooms and architectural features have endured. The speech highlighted key milestones, including the 1896 dedication of the site’s monument by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New York, which Heinrichs described as a “pinnacle of the public drive to preserve, protect and remember our shared history.”
Heinrichs quoted from the 1896 ceremony, including Grand Master Edward Elders’ words: “We come today to pay homage to the hero of Oriskany… His life and his deeds are the monuments that will keep his name enshrined in the hearts of loyal men and women.”
The talk also looked forward to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany in 2027. Plans include a reenactment of Herkimer’s 40-mile march from his home to the battlefield, involving partnerships with local historic sites and organizations. Participants will follow the original route, camp at historic spots, and culminate in events at Oriskany Battlefield, followed by reenactments and living history demonstrations at Herkimer Home. The year will close with a day of mourning for Herkimer’s death.
Heinrichs closed by invoking General Butterfield’s 1896 remarks: “Those who perform heroic deeds never die in vain. Their glorious examples live to stimulate and ennoble others… We do well, therefore, to erect such monuments. They all speak of heroic sacrifice.”
Attendees praised the event’s growth, with Heinrichs noting the influx of new faces from community groups and the public. The ceremony underscores the site’s role in educating visitors about the Mohawk Valley’s pivotal contributions to the American Revolution, where Herkimer led militia forces at Oriskany despite fatal wounds that led to his death on August 17, 1777.
Herkimer Home, a 155-acre state historic site, continues restoration and interpretation efforts, removing later additions to reflect its 18th-century appearance. The brochure distributed at the event outlined the day’s schedule, including the speech and opportunities for tours of the mansion and grounds, which feature the general’s gravesite and monument.
As the nation approaches the semiquincentennial of the Revolution, events like this serve as a bridge between past and future, inspiring attendees to carry forward the spirit of patriotism and preservation.
For more information on upcoming programs, visit the Herkimer Home State Historic Site.
