Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: November 21

    1921

    Bootleggers, using three powerful automobiles, made a valuable haul of nearly one hundred cases of wines and liquors, with a monetary worth of $10,000, from the home of L. O. Bucklin on North William Street.

    1931

    State Highway Commissioner A. W. Brandt rebuffed Little Falls’ request to build Route 5S over Lovers’ Leap through the city’s south side “when it cannot take care of the notorious River Road” which he deemed as one of the most disgraceful stretches he knows of for a main line road.

    2014

    A fire of major proportions was adverted at historic St. Mary’s church when a young man walking his dog at 11:30 pm alerted the Little Falls fire department of a fire in progress. Several area fire departments responded, and the fire was confined to a storage room. The church itself only had smoke and water damage.

  • This day in history: November 22

    1832

    We are happy to announce that the stone bridge across the Mohawk River is completed. It reflects to great credit the mechanical skills of Robert Stewart and Captain William Chase.

    1902

    The cornerstone of the Bethel Mission Chapel on the south side of the city was placed today. The construction is being paid for by David H. Burrell, head of the great Burrell & Co. industries,  on a lot donated by William Milligan, the venerable retired president of the National Herkimer County Bank.

    1920

    The Women’s Christian Association (W.C.A.) was formally opened, before a crowd of over 500, for the use of women and girls of Little Falls. It was affectionately dedicated to the memory of Anne Louise Burrell who was a pioneer in work for the higher interests of girls and women. Visitors were escorted through the building by the Girl Scouts.

    2013

    Little Falls resident Mary Woodward Pillsworth was an eye witness to history. Fifty years ago today, Mary, a women’s news reporter for the Dallas Morning News was directly in front of the Texas School Book Depository when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She is considered the fifth closest witness to the assignation, and can be seen in the Zapruder film.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

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.

Helen Dunteman

LITTLE FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2022 WRITING SERIES

The officers and directors of the Little Falls Historical Society are proud to announce that their 2022 writing series will be dedicated to former Little Falls social studies teacher Helen Dunteman.