Herkimer Home State Historic Site Annual Wreath Laying and Ceremony

Herkimer Home State Historic Site Annual Commemorative Wreath Laying and Ceremony

Commemoration is on August 16th at 1:00 p.m.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site invites you to join us for our annual commemorative wreath laying and ceremony to celebrate the life, sacrifice, and impact of General Nicholas Herkimer in the colonial world of the Mohawk Valley. This year’s commemoration will be held on Sunday, August 16th at 1pm at Herkimer Home State Historic Site. Admission is free and our mansion and grounds will remain open following the ceremony with living history activities and programs throughout the day.

Living Historians and Living History Activities

This year’s commemoration ceremony will commence with the march of the militia with living historians representing the Tryon County Militia taking their place alongside Herkimer’s last resting place in our cemetery grounds. A musket and artillery salute will follow before local chapters of the DAR, SAR, and other organizations participate in a wreath laying ceremony. Site staff will continue the program with site updates and a commemorative talk marking the occasion, followed by the American Legion Color Guard with taps and 21-gun salute.

After our commemoration ceremony, we welcome you to tour the mansion in mourning marking the passing of General Nicholas Herkimer. This aspect of the program will provide insight into the death, mourning, and funerary practices of the 18th century and will accompany the mourning drapes and coffin viewing in the General’s home. Additional Living History activities such as militia drilling, foodways, quill writing and more will be offered throughout the day, from 10am-5pm, and visitors are welcome to join in on free open house tours of Herkimer’s beautiful Georgian style mansion.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site

Herkimer Home State Historic Site is located at 200 State Route 169, in Little Falls, NY and is owned and operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. We are open for tours seasonally from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Be sure to check in for updates on our Facebook page or for more information call our office at 315-823-0398. We hope to see you out there at this year’s commemoration!

Published August 10, 2026.