Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: February 10

    1842

    The warm rains caused the ice on the Mohawk River and West Canada Creek to break up and come down the river in large masses causing significant damage to the Railroad, Canal, and buildings in Little Falls. The water was estimated to be 25 feet above low water level. One house was swept away nearly to the Fink ferry bridge.

    1902

    Four of the eight aldermen purposely “went on strike” and did not attend the Common Council meeting. Since business could not be conducted and bills audited, police officers were sent out by the mayor, with search warrants, to look for the absentees. They were not found. Five members are needed for a quorum.

    1963

    Changes continue in the Cherry- Burrell Company and its ties with Little Falls grow fewer and fewer. David H. Burrell 3rd, Edwin Fisher, and Anthony Wening resigned as directors, and representatives of the investor group which recently bought into the company were elected to succeed them.

    2000

    Numerous area residents had an opportunity to meet and talk with first lady and U. S. Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton at her campaign stop at the Ann Street Deli in Little Falls.

  • This day in history: February 11

    1891

    James Tappan, better known as “Hunkey” Tappan, was arrested by Officer Holmes at the polling place in Skinner Hall for being drunk, and disorderly, and for trying to vote twice. He was discharged with a reprimand.

    1916

    For a week or more, the water in the city reservoir was lowering six or eight inches a day. A resident noticed that Furnace Creek was unusually high, and a big break was found nearby in the dead line in Skinner Woods which was repaired.

  • This day in history: February 12

    1916

    Weber and Fields appeared at a stage show at the City Theatre.in Little Falls.

    1898

    Opposition has arisen to the Academy project of building a new $65,000 schoolhouse at the site of the current academy at the corner of East Main and Alexander streets. A movement has started to build the school on West Main Street with the claim that this would be more convenient for the 141 students who live in that general area, but many of them attend St. Mary’s.

  • This day in history: February 13

    1913

    Thirty year-old Zaida Zoller was appalled by the condition of the horses in a circus travelling through the area in 1912, and had the owners arrested and the horses confiscated. On this date, through her work and strong public reaction, the Herkimer County Humane Society was incorporated.

    2016

    Born in Little Falls, of Italian immigrant parents, John J. Riccardo, former President of Chrysler Corporation (1970-1975) and Chairman & CEO (1975-1979) died in Birmingham, Michigan. Active at LFHS, John was a World War II veteran, and graduated with degrees in economics at the University of Michigan. He quickly rose through the ranks at Chrysler.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

Cars still a relative novelty at time of ‘Sociability’ run

Automobiles were still a relative novelty in Little Falls in 1909 when the Smith brothers, proprietors of the Richmond Hotel (later called Hotel Snyder) concocted the idea of a “Sociability” automobile run from the city to Cooperstown and back.

Little Falls High School class of 1954

Nostalgia

Nostalgia becomes a personal emotional experience. In times of stress, nostalgia can provide a retreat, a respite, a way to feel less alone.

Advertisement for Barnum's Circus -August 22, 1822

Jumbo entertains Little Falls

On Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882, Little Falls played host to a 12-foot tall, 6½ ton entertainer, whose reach extended 26 feet from the ground.

Little Falls was basketball pioneer

When basketball was new, Little Falls (along with Herkimer) was one of its pioneering communities and had some of its better teams.

Little Falls Public Library head librarian Julia Yardley pictured on the front portico of the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th cheese festival.

Little Falls Public Library librarian, Julia Yardley, at the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th Cheese Festival.

Little Falls Public Library head librarian Julia Yardley pictured on the front portico of the Old Bank Building Museum during the October 5th Cheese Festival.

Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Old Bank Building in Little Falls.

OLD BANK BUILDING MUSEUM SITE OF ALBANY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RECORDING

Friday September 27 was a most interesting and history-making day at the Little Falls Historical Society’s Old Bank Building Museum.

NOTICE: Little Falls Historical Society Museum closure Friday, September 27, 2024

The Historical Society Museum will be closed the afternoon of Friday, September 27, 2024, due to a scheduling overlap.