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Little Falls, NY

  • This day in history: September 15

    1821

    The first newspaper published in Little Falls, the “People’s Friend”, by Edward Griffing, was printed in Mechanic’s Hall on Main Street, and later at the brick house on Garden Street at the head of Mary Street.

    1843

    The boat “The Champion” left her dock at Little Falls for Troy with a mammoth load: 1944 boxes of cheese, 43 cases of cheese, 3 boxes of woolens, and 1 box of leather. The cargo weighed 150,561 pounds and the toll was $56.50.

    1885

    One of the oldest and most honored citizens of Little Falls, Judge Arphaxed Loomis, passed away. Born in 1798 in Connecticut, he moved to to Salisbury as a young boy in 1803. Long prominent in local affairs, he ranked among the foremost men in the State, and was an acknowledged leader in shaping its course as the Empire State. Arphaxed Loomis, is remembered most for his successful efforts in forcing the Ellice Estate to sell their holdings in Little Falls. He was village president (1831-1836,) County Judge, member of the NYS Assembly, and member of Congress. He built his home at 676 East Main Street in 1832.

    1901

    A memorial service for all churches in the city was held for President William McKinley at the Skinner Opera House. McKinley had been assassinated nine days earlier in Buffalo, New York.

    1982

    New officers were installed for the Little Falls Bocce League. Charlie Raiello, Ugo Taverni, and John Casullo took over the reins from Lou Colangelo and Paul Terenzetti.  The local bocce ball courts are located at the Veterans Memorial Park complex.

    2010

    A flotilla enroute to Rochester for the 2010 World Canals Conference stopped in Little Falls today. The flotilla is made up of pleasure and tour boats, as well as several historic and operational vessels from the New York State Canal Corporation.

  • Many thanks to Louie Baum for his research for This Day in History.

    ALL EXHIBITS

    • 1912 Little Falls Textile Strike
    • 1940 Gulf Curve Train Wreck
    • 240th Anniversary of the Battles of Stone Arabia and Klock’s Field
    • Athletics Wing Collection
    • Battle of West Canada Creek
    • Camp Jolly Exhibit
    • Church Street Cemetery Tour
    • City Hall – A History
    • Distant Drums – Little Falls during the Civil War Era
    • Early Base Ball in Little Falls
    • Early Little Falls Buildings and Organizations
    • First U.S. Cheese Market Exhibit
    • Frog Fountain
    • Herkimer County Bank
    • Little Falls African American History
    • Little Falls Diamonds Collection
    • Little Falls Music Exhibit
    • Little Falls Waterways
    • Little Falls and Women’s Suffrage
    • Making History Today
    • Making History Today Student Edition
    • Massacre at the Little Falls Grist Mill
    • Myjava, Slovakia, Sister City of Little Falls
    • Native American Exhibit
    • Prohibition Exhibit
    • Rockton Exhibit
    • Urban Renewal Exhibit
    • Vietnam War Exhibit
    • World War II and Korean Conflict Exhibit
    Preamble

    Imagine That…We the People of the United States of America

    June 29, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    The concept of our country exists in our imaginations. We are a country formed by imagined truths turned into powerful words that united us in a Revolution

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mohawk-Valley-Today-Upstate-NY.jpeg 750 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-06-29 11:32:042026-06-29 11:35:06Imagine That…We the People of the United States of America
    COMMITTEE OF FIVE PRESENTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO CONGRESS IN 1776.

    THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1776 – 2026

    June 26, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    As our nation celebrates the semi-quincentennial of the Declaration of Independence, we must also reflect upon this seminal document’s true meaning.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_2749.jpeg 1021 1176 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-06-26 08:01:552026-06-26 08:05:59THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1776 – 2026

    Little Falls Historical Society Membership Picnic

    June 5, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Join us for our annual summer picnic along the Erie Canal / Mohawk River at beautiful Rotary Park. This event is open to Historical Society members and their guests.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Rotary-Park-and-the-Little-Falls-Marina.jpeg 901 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-06-05 13:51:572026-06-05 13:51:59Little Falls Historical Society Membership Picnic
    OPENING AFTERNOON CROWD taxed tacilities at the new Little Falls Francis S. Skinner Municipal Pool. In foreground is fenced off area for small children, with shallow water. Swimming area for older persons is considerably larger and diving area is at right.OPENING AFTERNOON CROWD taxed tacilities at the new Little Falls Francis S. Skinner Municipal Pool. In foreground is fenced off area for small children, with shallow water. Swimming area for older persons is considerably larger and diving area is at right.

    New Swimming Pool a Busy Place on First Day of Use on August 9, 1961

    June 1, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Little Falls Evening Times – Opening of the new swimming pool near the Monroe Street field was a big splash. About 400 swimmers, mostly children, were on hand for the first dip.

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    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_2506.jpeg 825 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-06-01 09:26:062026-06-01 13:00:36New Swimming Pool a Busy Place on First Day of Use on August 9, 1961
    Church Street Cemetery Vault | Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Common Burial Ground Monument Dedication Ceremony on June 6th

    June 1, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    This is an open invitation, and all are welcome. We’re looking forward to having you join us!

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Church-Street-Cemetery-Vault.jpg 424 632 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-06-01 07:15:152026-06-02 07:16:13Common Burial Ground Monument Dedication Ceremony on June 6th

    Explore our history

    • The Privy and the Pear Tree: Unearthing Little Falls History in Your Own BackyardJuly 15, 2026 - 2:42 pm
    • Francis Skinner Municipal PoolFrancis Skinner Municipal Pool
      More than 150 Donors Help Reopen Francis Skinner Municipal PoolJuly 1, 2026 - 5:00 pm
    • COMMITTEE OF FIVE PRESENTING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO CONGRESS IN 1776.
      THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 1776 – 2026June 26, 2026 - 8:01 am
    • Little Falls Historical Society Membership PicnicJune 5, 2026 - 1:51 pm
    • Charles P Colby
      A Capacity For AchievementMay 7, 2026 - 7:35 am
    • Fort Herkimer Church
      Patriots Day Event Saturday, May 16, at the Fort Herkimer ChurchMay 5, 2026 - 8:55 am

    Explore the history of the Mohawk Valley

    Visit MohawkValleyMuseums.us

    Museum Exhibits

    • Little Falls and Women's Suffrage
      Little Falls and Women’s Suffragein: Current Exhibits
    • Rockton Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Rockton Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Camp Jolly Little Falls Historical Society Museum
      Camp Jolly Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Prohibition Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Prohibition Exhibitin: Current Exhibits
    • Athletics Wing | Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls, NY
      Athletics Wing Collectionin: Current Exhibits, Ongoing Exhibits
    • 1940 train wreck | Little Falls Historical Society Museum
      1940 Gulf Curve Train Wreckin: Ongoing Exhibits, Past Exhibits
    • Native American Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      Native American Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Little Falls Diamonds Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      Little Falls Diamonds Collectionin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • World War II Exhibit | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      World War II and Korean Conflict Exhibitin: Past Exhibits
    • Little Falls Cheese Market | Little Falls Historical Society Museum | Little Falls NY
      First U.S. Cheese Market Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Myjava, Slovakia Exhibitin: Ongoing Exhibits
    • Little Falls Waterwaysin: Past Exhibits

    Explore events happening in the Mohawk Valley

    See what's happening on MohawkValley.Today

    OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM HOURS

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    OPEN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 9-2
    OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS IN LITTLE FALLS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH

    Explore the history of the Mohawk Valley

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