Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: November 20

    1873

    The big steam fire whistle, bought by the Board, has been located on the Mohawk Mills (Old Stone Mill.)

    1896

    Five shares of Little Falls National Bank stock were sold at auction ($800 per share) and ten shares of National Herkimer County Bank stock ($850 per share) from the estate of Jonathan Beattie. The prices show the high standing of our local banks.

  • 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

Learn More About This Local Historical Society and Museum

Many of us never think about the fact that we’re living artifacts of history. Usually, we think that we’re not significant enough to count.

Gettysburg Address monument located in Ward Square

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, LITTLE FALLS AND BEYOND

2025 marks both the 165th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election to the presidency and the 160th anniversary of his April 15th, 1865 assassination.

Dwight James Baum: The World’s Most Famous Architect from Little Falls

My grandfather, Dwight James Baum, is undoubtedly Little Falls’ most-famous architect ever and one of its most-famous sons. 

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto memories

When preparing to write this article, I asked readers for their memories of the Rialto and received the following replies.

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

Rialto was Little Falls’ movie palace

The Gateway Theatre in Little Falls, later to be renamed Rialto, first opened its doors to the public on October 22, 1923.

Old-time southsiders Father Dan Lanza and Joe Vespasiano at 2019 South Side Reunion

Little Falls’ South Side in the 1930s – 1940s: A Remembrance of Time and Place

As long as I can remember my father, Joe Vespasiano, loved to share his stories, and he had a lot of material.

Little Falls Historical Society | Little Falls NY

The Little Falls Historical Society hits the ground running in 2025

We are eagerly anticipating this year’s Writing Series with new historical articles that highlight life in Little Falls.