Edward Little believed that for a community to amount to something it should have an institution of secondary education, and in 1834 he persuaded the Maine Legislature to charter Lewiston Falls Academy. He provided money to build the school on land he donated, including this park, and the private school served scholars from communities on both sides of the river. After his death, its name was changed to Edward Little Institute. When the City of Auburn decided to establish a high school, the institute trustees transferred the property and buildings to the city on conditions that it be named Edward Little High School, that a statue be erected, and that his portrait be placed in a principal room in the building.