Arkell Center is the former home of
philanthropist James Arkell, inventor of the paper bag

Canajoharie native son James Arkell invented a machine that could fold heavy paper into a flat-bottomed bag, such as the modern sugar bag. He grew his business, Arkell and Smiths, into a huge paper manufactory. His son Bartlett converted Ephraim Lipe's smoked ham recipe into the Beech-Nut Packing Company which in 10 years became one of the largest food processing operations in the world. James later became a state senator (1884-1885), following Webster Wagner.

The Arkell Foundation funded the state-of-the art Arkell Performing Arts Center in award-winning Canajoharie High School.

A view of the building when it was the home of Senator Arkell.