Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: December 16

    1886

    About one thousand people were present at the public meeting under the auspices of the Knights of Labor, at the Skinner Opera House. The assemblage was addressed by Mr. T. B. Barry who talked about the local labor situation, and his unsuccessful attempts to meet and negotiate with head of the Little Falls Manufacturers Association.

  • This day in history: December 17

    1845

    The first electric communication through Little Falls was the telegraph line of the Utica and Schenectady railroad. A contract was made on this date and the telegraph line was installed in 1846.

    1917

    A good number of recently built US submarine chasers, moving down the canal, stopped in Little Falls on their way to New York City. They will bolster our shore defenses.

  • This day in history: December 18

    1830

    Disgusted with alien ownership, Little Falls citizens met to petition the New York State legislature to enforce the Alien Land Law of 1817.

    1896

    James Riley has secured, for the sum of $25, the privilege from the State, of using the part of the canal known as Leigh’s Level for an ice skating rink. Little Falls school children are allowed free at specific times. The general public is to pay an admission charge of five cents for using the rink. 

  • This day in history: December 19

    1898

    The old Girvan House suffered severely from fire forcing forty-five guests and other inmates out into the cold. The fire was believed to have started in the rear of Joe Wright’s fruit store.

    1933

    It’s full speed ahead to get the Melrose Slipper company of New York City into operation in Little Falls. All doubts about the ability of the company to secure a sufficiency of help would seem to be removed by the number of applications made to the company’s New York office. 125 to 150 jobs are projected.

    1941

    WW II Era – A record 181 trains on the New York Central line passed through Little Falls in a single day.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

LITTLE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS TWO SCHOLARSHIPS

The officers and directors are proud to announce that the Historical Society worked with the Little Falls Central School District to award 2022 scholarships to two members of the Class of 2022.

Little Falls Pool Halls – Reflections on a Bygone Era

Coming of age in the 1950s and 60s in Little Falls, New York included a number of rites of passage for the young men of that time.

Little Falls South Side in the 1970s by David P. Talaba

Growing up on the South Side of Little Falls in the decade of the 70s was a wonderfully unique, cultural, and educational experience. Residents looked out for each other, fed each other, helped raise each other’s kids, and basically loved and respected each other.

Little Falls Historical Society Announces New Book: Beyond Our Bicentennial

The officers, directors, and entire membership of the Little Falls Historical Society are proud to announce the publication and availability of their new book BEYOND OUR BICENTENNIAL.

The Lighter Side of Vietnam

The Lighter Side of Vietnam by Schuyler Van Horn

My journey with the US Army started on June 17, 1968, the day after I graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and started looking forward to law school. 

MAY 14 PATRIOTS DAY PROGRAM AT NORWAY RURAL CEMETERY

The Little Falls Historical Society and the Norway Historical Society will hold a partnered Patriots Day observance program beginning at 11:00 AM on Saturday May 14 in Norway Rural Cemetery, also known as Four Wars Cemetery. 

Old postcard image of Sheard Park looking north to south with an unpaved Furnace Street on the right.

SPORTS CITY U.S.A. – LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. by Ray Lenarcic

As I get on in years, I’m often asked what factors accounted for my becoming the person I am. And surprisingly, given my legendary longwinded nature, the answer is five words. Music. Sports. Church. Little Falls.