Little Falls, New York, has a story worth telling – and a history worth seeing.
Situated along the historic Erie Canal, Little Falls has been shaped by the waterway that connected communities, moved people and goods, and helped transform New York State and the nation. Today, we have an opportunity to celebrate that heritage in a new, creative, and highly visible way: through a collection of life–sized mule sculptures placed throughout our community.
The inspiration comes from one of the most beloved symbols of the Erie Canal – the Canal mule – and especially Sal, immortalized in the classic Erie Canal song:
“I’ve got an old mule, and her name is Sal…“
For generations, those words have helped keep the story of the Erie Canal alive. Our vision is to bring Sal and her fellow Canal mules to life in Little Falls through a series of life-sized, artistically decorated mule sculptures.
Public art that becomes a destination
Communities have demonstrated how distinctive public art can become part of a city’s identity. Saratoga Springs is well known for its colorful horse sculptures; Chicago has their painted cows, while Buffalo has celebrated its namesake through creative bison sculptures.
Little Falls can do the same with the iconic Erie Canal mule.
We invite you to help bring Sal home.
Our nonprofit organization, the Rotary Club of Little Falls Community Charity Fund, is seeking donors, sponsors, and community partners who share our belief that Little Falls’ history can help build its future. Your support will help create and install these distinctive mule sculptures and establish a public art attraction that celebrates our Erie Canal heritage while promoting tourism, community pride, and economic activity.
This is more than a sculpture project.
It is history. It is art. It is tourism. It is community pride. And it is uniquely Little Falls. Let’s put Sal in Eastern Park, Western Park, Rotary Park, Sterzinar Park, and Seeley Street (the original Erie Canal Towpath), and then let’s start looking at Main Street.
With your help, we can bring Sal and the story of the Erie Canal to life – and give visitors one more unforgettable reason to discover Little Falls, New York.
Please donate to give Sal a new home on Friday, September 18, during the Mohawk Valley Gives event. Use the QR code below or go to www.givemv.org and in the search bar type in Rotary Club of Little Falls. Read the full story of our “Sal” project and choose your donation level.
The event goes live for “giving” during Mohawk Valley Gives week of September 14th–18, and we’re asking you to donate on Friday, September 18. Please mark your calendar and help us reach our goal of 150 donations! Ask your family members and friends to give. Little Falls is in the midst of a Renaissance, and we want to be part of it.
Whether you decide to donate and give Sal a pair of eyes, her nose, or a rump, or the entire “Sal,” the Rotary Club of Little Falls Community Charity Fund thanks you.
Discover more from The Daily Post
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
