Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events
This day in history: May 13
1900
In Robert MacKinnon’s mill, census enumerators report:: Women of 16 or over 675; girls under 16, 23; men of 16 or over, 420; boys under 16, 22 ; total =1,140.
1921
Becker’s Livery Stable, on South Second Street, is being torn down to make way for Bowman’s Garage. Later, this was the site of the Little Falls Wholesale Company near Luries.
1928
At a jubilee service, St. Mary’s church, one of the largest and most active parishes in the Albany diocese, the parish celebrated paying of the debt, and the 50th anniversary of the building of the edifice. In addition to area clergy, the occasion was attended by Cardinal Hayes from New York City, and Bishops Gibbons, Shahan, and Conroy.
1947
At the 25th anniversary banquet for the Knights of Columbus # 220 in Little Falls, It was pointed out there were 620 local members in 1910, dropping to 160 after the Great Depression. The 1947 membership was 230.
1960
Effective today, freight will no longer be unloaded in Little Falls as the New York Central Railroad is closing their freight house in the city.
This day in history: May 14
1818
John Melish, visiting America from Great Britain, described his visit to Little Falls on this day. He wrote, “The road good, adjoining lands stony, but the wheat fields being green of a pleasing appearance.” He went on, “The village has 50 houses many of stone, 6 stores, 4 taverns, church, schoolhouse, 4 mills, and room for 100 mills along the river.”
1886
A new brewery being formed by the Grace brothers is ready to open. One of the brothers spent many months in one of the most celebrated breweries in Burton-upon-Trent, England learning how to make a first-class ale.
This day in history: May 15
1856
100 village lots will be sold today.
1936
According to an appraisal filed in Surrogate Court in Herkimer, Edward J. Burrell left a net estate of $383,313.91. (Equivalent to $7,137,305 in 2020 dollars.)
1942
WW II Era – Motorists rushed to fill their tanks before rationing takes effect today. Long lines of cars were waiting at every gas station and at least one station “went dry.” Many came with jars, cans, drums, and jugs to store a little “in reserve.” A majority of the sales were small, some amounting to only 25 or 30 cents. Nearly 2,000 people registered for rationing cards.
1962
The Little Falls Municipal Golf Course located in the northern part of the city near the reservoir has opened. The course has a beautiful view overlooking the Mohawk Valley. The nine hole course is 3,200 yards long and plays to a par 36.
1985
Dr. Jo Ann Crisp-Ellert, former Little Falls resident and daughter of legendary coach Wilbur Crisp, held a one person art show “Stone House” in Washington, D.C. where she resides. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University, and masters and Ph.D. from American University, and post graduate study at Royal College of Art, the Sorbonne, and Yale University. She teaches at the University of Virginia.
1998
In a letter to the Evening Times, the president of the Board of Trustees of the Little Falls Public Library asked the public to support a separate proposition on the Little Falls City School District ballot giving the library funding of $55,000.
This day in history: May 16
1917
The Buffalo Bill travelling show returned to Little Falls even though Buffalo Bill had retired. The show featured Jess Willard the former prize fighter.
2015
Artistic Director Vlad Iftinca and Bellinger Performing Arts presented an “Opera and Broadway Treasures” concert at the Masonic Temple in Little Falls before an enthusiastic, sold-out audience. Iftinca brought musical stars Kristn Mengelkoch, Musical Theater Soprano; Janara Kellerman, Mezzo-Soprano; John Moore, Baritone; and Peter Volpe, Bass to Little Falls.
A stunning, sold-out performance of “Opera and Broadway Treasures” was held at the Masonic Temple under the direction of artistic director Vlad Iftinca. Featured artists were from the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway shows.
The Magnificent Mile at Little Falls by Louis W. Baum, Jr.
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumWhen it comes right down to it, Little Falls is all about water. The earliest explorers in America found it easiest to move along the waterways and rivers as did the Native Americans living here. In the 1600s and 1700s the British colonies extended inward from the Atlantic Ocean to the Appalachian Mountains.
Burwell Street Namesake and Moreland Park Visionary
/by Little Falls Historical Society Museumby Jeffrey Gressler
Since 1911, Moreland Park has played an important role in community life for generations of Little Falls residents. Family picnics, group outings, community events and celebrations, wedding receptions, birthday and graduation parties, family and class reunions, and kids squealing with delight on the playground equipment are all common occurrences on the park’s bucolic grounds. We all have our own Moreland Park memories.
by Jeffrey Gressler
He Still Sustains: Pitt the Painter’s Studio Loft
/by Little Falls Historical Society Museumby Laura Laubenthal
From 2011 to 2013, I wrote my master’s degree thesis for the Cooperstown Graduate Program about “Pitt the Painter” and his role in showcasing the identity of Little Falls by means of his artwork. The project was largely based on oral histories told by those in town who remembered him since his death on September 4, 2007. While I spoke with several people, there were so many more I did not reach, as Pitt’s sphere of influence seemed immeasurable. The project went on, and it was apparent that these stories meshed together as modern-day folklore about talent, humor, addiction, and belonging.
by Laura Laubenthal
A FAN’S NOTES ON THE RETURN OF VINTAGE BASE BALL TO LITTLE FALLS
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThis author admits upfront that he is both a local history nut and a diehard New York Yankees fan. The intertwined paths of baseball and American history resonate with me. Older readers of this piece will likely recall watching Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and the transformational impact of Jackie Robinson. This author’s baseball roots trace […]
“Surviving Childhood in Little Falls” by Cynthia Holick Foley
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumWhen asked if I had any siblings, I often quipped, “My brother and I were only children.” While my first decade was spent in the peaceful and prosperous 1950s, his was spent just prior and during World War II. Recently my big brother, Jan Holick Sr., (born 1935, and graduated from Little Falls High School 1953,) sat down with me, (born 1951, and graduated 1969,) and shared his memories of a time I never knew except in history books. He was kind enough to open a window to his past, and this article invites you to share that view.
UPDATED HISTORICAL SOCIETY CANAL DAYS CELEBRATION EVENTS SCHEDULE
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumThe recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Herkimer County has forced our board directors and officers to rethink our Canal Days Celebration calendar of events and museum operation. Foremost in our thinking is public safety. We regret any inconveniences that these adjustments may cause. The CHURCH STREET CEMETERY TOUR was scheduled for Friday August 13 […]
Long Ago From a Far Away Land by Jessie Snyder Thompson Huberty
/by Little Falls Historical Society MuseumIn February of 1935, while snow fell heavily over Herkimer County in upstate New York, a cable arrived at the home of The Honorable Homer P. Snyder on Ann Street in Little Falls. It announced the birth of H.P.’s first great grandchild. It read: “Mother and child doing fine. Father barely survived!” Thus, I arrived amidst tropical breezes in the city of Manila, on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines, set between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Manila: 8324 miles away from the city on the Mohawk River.