Little Falls Historical Society Museum Events

  • This day in history: March 23

    1928

    The Slovenian Home, first formed in 1905 as a cultural, social, and beneficial society, became incorporated under New York State law on this date. The members had immigrated  to Little Falls from the Slovenia area of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

    1984

    Leon Dussault, born in Little Falls in 1895, and co-owner of the “Journal & Courier” printing company, died on this date. Mr. Dussault founded the Little Falls Symphony Orchestra in 1927, and conducted the exceptional ensemble of local and area musicians through its final concert in 1971. National and international acclaimed performers  frequently appeared with the orchestra.

  • This day in history: March 24

    1791

    Elbana Williams offered a resolution to the State Legislature to make a survey around the rapids in the Mohawk River.

    1842

    As of this date, Little Falls has 3,000 population, 40 stores, 2 printing offices, 5 hotels, 1 bank, 5 churches, numerous schools,  – the manufacturies consists of 2 paper mills, 3 paper mills, 2 saw mills, 3 foundries, 1 machine shop, 1 sash factory, 1 axe factory, 1 woolen factory, 1 clothing factory, 1 distillery, 1 brewery, 1 plasster mill, 2 trip-hammers, and numerous factories in the n=manufacture of Copper, cabinets, carriages etc.

    1894

    A. M. Kinney, dealer in horses, will have two car loads of horses for sale today.

  • This day in history: March 26

    1993

    The former Andy’s Grill on Loomis Street, a long-time bar and meeting place in the Manheim section of Little Falls, is no more. As a part of Urban Renewal, the property has been turned into a residence for which applications are being made from first-time home owners.

  • This day in history: March 27

    1885

    The “Wang Sing Chinese Laundry,” was started in the Fleming block on the corner of South Second and Albany Streets. Shortly afterwards a second Chinese laundry started in Little Falls.

    1907

    The first train station in Little Falls will soon be razed. The station is located between West John Street and the railroad tracks near the “Flatiron” building which holds the office for the S.F. Jones Coal Company.

    1942

    WW II Era – The FBI said 3,637 aliens had registered in Herkimer County including 1,128 “enemy aliens,” 950 from Italy, 146 from Germany, and 32 from Romania and Hungary. The Little Falls Post Office had issued certificates of identification to all aliens of enemy nationalities age 14 and older. Police confiscated radios, cameras, and firearms.

From the Cooney Archives

News and Updates

HISTORICAL SOCIETY DUES HELP FINANCE SIGNS AND HISTORIC MARKERS – PART I OF 2

The official dedication ceremony for the Little Falls Historic Entry’s historic markers and related signage along East Main Street will take place sometime in early June.

Herkimer Home State Historic Site

PATRIOTS DAY EVENT SATURDAY, MAY 24 AT HERKIMER HOME

The Herkimer Home State Historic Site and the Little Falls Historical Society will co-host a Patriots Day event at Herkimer Home beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 24.

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.