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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

    The Privy and the Pear Tree: Unearthing Little Falls History in Your Own Backyard

    July 15, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    The Little Falls Historical Society invites you to attend a special presentation given by Laura Laubenthal for a fun evening of discovery.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Laura-for-presentation.jpeg 720 1008 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-07-15 14:42:042026-07-15 14:42:06The Privy and the Pear Tree: Unearthing Little Falls History in Your Own Backyard
    Francis Skinner Municipal PoolFrancis Skinner Municipal Pool

    More than 150 Donors Help Reopen Francis Skinner Municipal Pool

    July 1, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    More than 150 donors contributed $118,538 in just four months, making it possible for the Francis Skinner Municipal Pool to open for the 2026 season.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_2793.jpeg 791 765 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-07-01 17:00:222026-07-01 17:00:23More than 150 Donors Help Reopen Francis Skinner Municipal Pool

    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.

    Read more
    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
    Fort Herkimer Church

    Patriots Day Event Saturday, May 16, at the Fort Herkimer Church

    May 5, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Fort Herkimer Church is nestled on the bank of the Mohawk River along Route 5S in the Town of German Flatts.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_8692.jpeg 900 1200 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-05-05 08:55:192026-05-05 08:55:22Patriots Day Event Saturday, May 16, at the Fort Herkimer Church
    Little Falls Community Pool Update

    Little Falls Municipal Pool Fund Raising Update

    May 1, 2026/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Our goal is $130,000 to help make it possible for the Little Falls Pool to open for the 2026 season. For many kids, the pool is where summer memories are made.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2581.jpeg 765 765 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2026-05-01 11:34:492026-06-05 13:55:54Little Falls Municipal Pool Fund Raising Update
    Manheim youth pictured in front of Cecconi’s Marine in the late-1950s.

    Remembering the Old Manheim Neighborhood

    December 2, 2025/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Much of today’s third ward of the City of Little Falls was once widely referred to as “the Manheim neighborhood.”

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_0223.jpeg 717 960 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2025-12-02 07:38:142025-12-02 11:08:18Remembering the Old Manheim Neighborhood
    BURIAL GROUND SIGN PLACEMENT COMPLETES LONG PROJECT

    BURIAL GROUND SIGN PLACEMENT COMPLETES LONG PROJECT

    August 8, 2025/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    The combined efforts of the City of Little Falls and the Little Falls Historical Society over a ten-year period culminated in a Thursday August 7th well-attended sign dedication ceremony at the African American Burial Ground section of Church Street Cemetery.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250807_184854.jpeg 1200 960 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2025-08-08 11:47:382025-08-08 11:47:42BURIAL GROUND SIGN PLACEMENT COMPLETES LONG PROJECT

    Little Falls Canal Days Celebration

    July 29, 2025/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Off-site programs and activities for Canal Days of the Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_7614.jpeg 1470 980 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2025-07-29 13:43:202025-07-29 14:00:47Little Falls Canal Days Celebration
    Brynn on podium

    BRYNN SHEPARDSON ADDED TO MUSEUM NYS CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETIC HONOR ROLL

    July 17, 2025/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    There is a multi-faceted history of Little Falls athletics exhibit at the Little Falls Historical Society’s Old Bank Building Museum. Part of this exhibit honors New York State high school champions from Little Falls.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_8005.jpeg 895 1043 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2025-07-17 11:32:192025-07-17 11:32:47BRYNN SHEPARDSON ADDED TO MUSEUM NYS CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETIC HONOR ROLL
    Preserve Our Past presenting its annual historic presentation award to the Little Falls Historical Society

    HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM RECOGNIZED IN CEREMONY

    July 9, 2025/by Little Falls Historical Society Museum

    Saturday June 7th was a very special day at the Old Bank Building Museum. Preserve Our Past (POP) presented its annual historic presentation award to the Little Falls Historical Society in a noontime front portico well-attended ceremony.

    Read more
    https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/IMG_7948.jpeg 980 980 Little Falls Historical Society Museum http://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Little-Falls-Historical-Society-Museum.png Little Falls Historical Society Museum2025-07-09 14:46:362025-07-09 14:54:05HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM RECOGNIZED IN CEREMONY
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    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

    By appointment only after October 4, 2025 until May 2026.
    SPECIAL DATES:
    OPEN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 9-2
    OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS IN LITTLE FALLS ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH

    Explore the history of the Mohawk Valley

    Visit MohawkValleyMuseums.us
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