Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: October 25

    1878

    A large ice house, with a capacity for holding 5,000 tons, is being built on the south side flats. The ice will be forwarded to city markets during the hot weather.

    1902

    The city breathed a sigh of relief after police, acting on a complaint, removed a box containing 50 pounds the high-powered variety of dynamite in the cellar of a home on Whited Street. The explosives had been stored there since the building of the Little Falls-Dolgeville railroad several years ago.

  • This day in history: October 26

    1837

    The Hinman’s Cave (Hole), situated about one mile north of the village, was explored extensively by students from the Fairfield Academy. Using ropes they descended 100 feet from the surface. There was one room of importance being between 30 and 40 feet wide with dripping water.

    1909

    The new temple of the International Organization of Odd Fellows, on South William Street, is an ornament and enterprise of the local lodge. The front of the building is an especially fine piece of architecture and is admired by all beholders.

    1964

    Traffic moved for the first time over the South Side Arterial and bridge over the Mohawk River and Barge canal. There were no ceremonies. At the same time, the old lift bridge, between Mohawk Street and Flint Avenue, was closed, and workmen shortly will start removing it.

  • This day in history: October 27

    1882

    Xerxes A. Willard, the man responsible in making Little Falls the “cheese capitol of the nation,” has died. He abandoned law as a career, became a farmer and was editor of the Herkimer County Journal, as well being an author on various phases of cheese making which became standards in the industry. He developed the method for establishing cheese prices and transmitting that information instantly across the country.

    1887

    Improvements in providing water power for running the large number of factories along the Mohawk River have been completed at a cost of about $60,000. Water is now running in the new raceways.

    1894

    A train bearing Governor McKinley, the famous Ohio statesman and champion of Protection, and future U.S. president,will stop in Little Falls today. McKinley will deliver an address in Clinton Park adjacent to the railway depot.

    1910

    Col. Theodore Roosevelt is to speak at the City Theatre in Little Falls today. He will be met at the train station by the local Military Band and escorted to the theatre to discuss the issues of the present campaign before a large crowd.

    1971

    There is opposition to the proposal for a county airport on Gun Club Road just west of Little Falls. Proponents state the airport is a necessary tool for economic development, while the opponents indicate the “luxury facility” caters to private plane owners with taxpayers footing the bill. The airport was never built.

  • This day in history: October 28

    1952

    ELECTION EVE :”LIGHTS ON – VOTES OUT” PARADE

    The “40 & 8” Steam Engine and Box Car …Shooting off a small cannon …The Knights of Columbus had a float also!…VFW -Decarlo Staffo Post -American Legion -Masons -Elks – Moose – all in decorated cars. Then along came the new autos carrying the Motor Corps and City Officials!

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

MOHAWK VALLEY GIVES HAS ANNOUNCED SEPTEMBER 18TH AS COMMUNITY-WIDE GIVING DAY

For the first time, the Little Falls Historical Society has applied for and been accepted as a recipient of 2026 Mohawk Valley Gives donations.

JAMES SANDERS HOME

Imagine Garden Street in 1827, when Little Falls was beginning to feel the effects of canal construction, new commerce, and a growing population.

NATHANIEL BENTON HOME

Imagine Garden Street during the early decades of the nineteenth century, when Little Falls was still growing beyond its earliest settlement.

The Gateway Theater-The Rialto | The Gateway Theater was built by a group of local businessmen in 1922, who had purchased a lot on North Ann Street, which was where an early pioneer settler, Eben Britton, had long ago operated a tannery. The theater became known as the Rialto Theatre in 1925. | Photo c. 1930

From the Archives: Gateway Theatre Opens Monday

From the Little Falls Evening Times Archives – The new Gateway Theatre on North Ann street will be opened to the public next Monday night, and the public has a treat coming. 

DAVID PETRIE HOME

Imagine Garden Street in 1825, when Little Falls was still a growing village and the Erie Canal was nearing completion.

GENERAL NICHOLAS HERKIMER HOME

Beginning today, the Little Falls Historical Society Museum invites you to step inside the story of our community through a new weekly series, Echoes of Legacy.

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

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

Become a Member

Individual Membership

Individual | $10

Sustaining | $25

Patron | $50

Student | $5

Family Membership

Family | $15

Business or Corporate Membership

Sustaining | $25

Patron | $50

Silver | $75

Gold | $100

Platinum | $200

Contact Us

Little Falls Historical Society Museum
319 South Ann Street
Little Falls, NY  (Get directions)

(315) 823-0643

Contact the LFHS

Use this form for general inquiries only. Please do not use this form for research requests. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE AND VISITS DURING THE 2026 SEASON!!
OUR ALL-VOLUNTEER STAFFED MUSEUM will be open by appointment only beginning Friday, Oct. 9

FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS THROUGHOUT LF:
https://littlefallshistoricalsociety.org/little-falls-history-tours/

We WILL be OPEN for Christmas in Little Falls on Saturday December 12
AFTER OCT. 9 (exception above) THE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
For appointments, please call
Louie Baum at 315-867-3527
Mary Ann Terzi at 315-823-1502
Jeff Gressler at 315-823-2799

PLEASE CONTINUE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES ON OUTDOOR EVENTS, VIRTUAL TOURS & NEWS.
319 South Ann Street, Little Falls, NY, 13365