Located in Oneida County, 13 miles northwest of Utica and 174 miles east of Buffalo, Rome was incorporated as a city in 1870. Its history dates back further, before the Revolutionary War when the land was inhabited by the Oneida Indian Nation, members of the Iroquois Confederacy. During the Revolutionary War, Rome played a pivotal role in the defeat of British forces. The reconstructed Fort Stanwix National Monument, located in the heart of the city, recreates life during the British siege of 1777 but also contains hundreds of thousands of artifacts in its interpretative center. Rome is also the home to the Erie Canal, once the main economic engine of the state. To commemorate the canal and Rome’s history, the 1840s Erie Canal Village is an outdoor living history museum that gives some insight into the period and the impact of the canal on New York and its communities.
The village is home to three museums. The Erie Canal Museum tells the complete story of the Erie Canal. The Harden Museum exhibits a collection of horse drawn vehicles that range from utilitarian farm equipment to an elegant Laundaulet. Then there is The New York State Museum of Cheese, the building which once housed the nation's first cheese factory. This museum explores the history of cheese making and its relationship to the importance of the Erie Canal in New York State during the 19th century. When in Rome, to search your genealogy, the Rome Historical Society is one of the foremost research institutions in the region for tracking down long-lost ancestors and locating distant branches of the family tree. Don’t forget the City of Rome, NY has plenty of lakes, rivers, streams and rolling hills to enjoy, from Delta Lake State Park, which features swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hiking and biking, to Bellamy Harbor Park situated along the historic Erie Canal. No matter what brings you to this exciting city, you’ll have a partner in making your vacation a fun-filled and relaxing one when you stay at our Choice Hotels in Rome, NY. Book a room online now!